"The machines will give much-needed boost to healthcare facilities at the hospital," said head of nephrology department Chitta Ranjan Kar. There are only seven dialysis machines and 33 beds in the department, though it receives 25 to 30 patients every day, he added. "On any single day, not less than 50 patients are on the waiting list for dialysis. Hopefully, things will improve after April," said a doctor.

SCB sources the department has also placed orders for three Slow Low Efficiency Dialysis (SLED) units, which will cost around Rs 75 lakh. Patients suffering from heart failure require advanced SLED dialysis. Expansion of the ward is in full swing and authorities are taking measures to appoint two technicians to run the units.

"The technicians will be appointed in the next few days," said a doctor. The department currently has seven doctors and two technicians.

On Thursday, the department observed World Kidney Day and senior doctors expressed concern over the rising number of kidney patients in the state. Three years ago, the department received 30 patients a day. The number has gone up by four times, they added.

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