All taluks to get two dialysis units by Jan 1

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ramesh Kumar on Monday  told the Legislative Council that government would start two dialysis centres in all the taluks by January 1, 2017. Replying to V Somanna (BJP) during the Question Hour, the minister said tenders have been floated for the dialysis units to ensure that patients undergoing dialysis will get services of nephrologist and nursing staff.

The units will have all the facilities and patients need not depend on private hospitals for any of the services. A nominal charge of Rs 150 would be collected irrespective of patient’s caste, community and economic background, he said. Among the 250 dialysis units in the state, 19 are defunct, he added.

Ramesh Kumar expressed his helplessness over the shortage of doctors at government hospitals. The government had offered to pay Rs 1 lakh for general practitioners and an additional Rs 25,000 for experts. But, doctors have not come forward to take up the offer. “That being the situation, what would the Opposition members do it they were ministers,” he questioned. The minister endrosed the Opposition demand to dilute the guidelines for organ transplantation.