Sixty-year-old Lalita from Madikeri was virtually in tears while narrating her experience of peritoneal dialysis, which she has been undergoing for the past one year since being trained at the Government Wenlock Hospital.

“I am really indebted to Health Minister U.T. Khader for including me in this (pilot) scheme. (Following peritoneal dialysis) I am now spending good time with my family members,” said Ms. Lalitha.

“I want this scheme to reach far more beneficiaries,” she said.

Ms. Lalita was one of 20 beneficiaries of peritoneal dialysis undertaken on a pilot basis by the State government at the Government Wenlock Hospital last year.

The beneficiaries here are those with chronic renal failure. The beneficiary or his or her family members, have been trained for a week to perform peritoneal dialysis in their house. The State government bears the expense of Rs. 24,000 per month included by each beneficiary.

The beneficiaries on Wednesday had come to share their experience of doing peritoneal dialysis for over a year.

“I had lost hope in life following problems I faced with haemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis has given me a new lease of life,” said Praveen Kumar, a resident of Puttur. Mr. Kumar said haemodialysis sessions had made him weak.

“Peritoneal dialysis has brought turnaround in my life,” said Mr. Kumar, who now runs a grocery shop.

Following peritoneal dialysis, Henry Pinto from Belthangady said that he has been driving an autorickshaw, which he stopped following haemodialysis.

“Each session of peritoneal dialysis lasts for about thirty minutes and it has to be done thrice a day. I space out these sessions and earn,” he said.

Mr. Pinto said the news of the government stopping supply of Dialysis liquid, which was used in Peritoneal Dialysis, did cause him concern.

Baby Shetty from Mandarthi in Udupi asked the Minister to ensure that there will not be any discontinuity in providing Dialysis liquid and medicines to beneficiaries. She also sought services of doctors at the Wenlock Hospital once a month.

Hearing the beneficiaries, Mr. Khader said the State government was considering extending peritoneal dialysis to more people with chronic renal failure.

There will not be any shortfall in availability of Dialysis liquid and medicines required for the beneficiaries, he said.

20 beneficiaries with chronic renal failure have been taken

on a pilot project by the government

...