Dialysis centre for poor in city - Times of India Print
MADURAI: The city corporation plans to set up a state-of-the-art dialysis centre. Seeking the permission of the house, mayor V V Rajan Chellappa told councillors that the centre has become necessary since the total population of the city has increased to 15.61 lakh, and 5-10% of them suffer from renal problems, needing dialysis facilities. "We have found that dialysis facilities are not available for poor patients at affordable prices in the city. Hence, we have decided to set up a dialysis facility to service poor people," he said.

The facility with five dialysis machines will be set up in the Zone 4 office building of the corporation, in which medical staff and others will be appointed. Discussing the resolution, a few councillors expressed that the facilities should be affordable for the poor and the corporation should evolve a system to provide dialysis free-of-cost to the very poor. Another health need discussed during the meeting was to set up blood storage units at maternity homes, as many units of blood were required during emergencies.

The corporation has decided to set up blood storage units at maternity homes of K Pudur and Mahaboobpalayam. After the discussion in the house, the council passed both resolutions. City health officer, V Subramanian said they were working on the proposals. "The dialysis centre and the blood storage units will be established in a very short period of time," he said.

Health officials from the corporation said the blood storage units will come up shortly, while it may take two to three months to set up the dialysis centre. Poor people would be able to afford the services at the dialysis centre, one of the health department officials said.

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