Peritoneal dialysis kits make our lives easier, say patients

Patients who are on peritoneal dialysis expressed happiness over the facility provided under the State’s pilot project at the Government Wenlock Hospital.

The patients, who had been selected for the project, said that after they had been put on peritoneal dialysis, they were able to lead a life without much difficulty.

In an interaction with Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa and Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader at the hospital on Wednesday, Baby Shetty from Mandarthi in Udupi said, “ For one year now, I have been undergoing peritoneal dialysis, which can be undertaken at home itself. There has been a great change in my life as I have to visit the hospital only once a month to get the supply of fluid for the kit. I do all the treatment work at home and even take care of my children. In contrast, I was on haemodialysis before, and could not even walk as I used to feel very weak. Now, I can consume food.”

Shetty added that the government should continue the facility of giving the fluid to the peritoneal dialysis kits and that the facility should be extended to other patients as well. “My family has spent Rs two to three lakh on haemodialysis,” said the patient.

Lalitha from Madikeri said, “I lead a happier life after I switched to peritoneal dialysis from haemodialysis, under which I had to visit the hospital twice or thrice a week for treatment. The new facility should be extended to all patients suffering from renal failure in the State, to help them lead better lives.”

Henry Pinto, an auto rickshaw driver from Belthangadi, said, “After I shifted to peritoneal dialysis, I could continue to work as an auto rickshaw driver, and earn my livelihood. I can also eat anything I wish to. It takes around 30 minutes to complete the process of dialysis. I have to undergo treatment using the kit once every four hours a day.”

Pinto requested that the nephrologist should be made available at Wenlock Hospital every week, so that, in case of an emergency, the patients can meet the doctor. “At present, we get to meet only once a month,” he added.

In response, district surgeon Dr Rajeshwari Devi promised to make arrangement for the availability of the nephrologist every week at the hospital.

Nephrologist Dr Mayur Prabhu, who has been treating 20 patients with peritoneal dialysis kits, said that 14 patients hail from BPL background.

The patients from Belagavi, Davangere, Mysuru and Kodagu had been selected for provision of peritoneal dialysis kit.