Asarwa: Three days ahead of observance of World Kidney Day, Institute of Kidney Diseases & Research Centre (IKDRC) has surpassed 12-lakh dialysis milestone under its flagship Gujarat Dialysis Programme (GDP).

“We want to make dialysis available closer to every patient’s home and aiming to bring it down further to 30 kilometers from present range of 50 kilometers radius by doubling the numbers of GDP centres,” Dr Vineet Mishra, Director, IKDRC-ITS told a gathering of mediapersons at a press interaction held on Tuesday to mark the momentous occasion.

“It is heartening for IKDRC to be in service of nearly 5000 covid-19 infected renal patients during the months of lockdown last year when even routine medical check-ups came to a grinding halt,” added Dr Mishra emphasizing upon importance of GDP centres for dialysis beneficiaries across state despite odds during lockdown.

Enjoying the numero uno position through its network of 47 GDP centres in 32 districts of Gujarat, GDP is the largest governmental network of dialysis centres in the country. Powered by IKDRC, GDP centres equipped with 469 machines perform approximately 22,500 dialysis a month. IKDRC, popularly known as Kidney Hospital, achieved this landmark owing to its popularity among masses for high-quality dialysis standards.

Owing to resounding success of GDP, plans are afoot to start 10 more centres at Mansa, Kalol, Kutch-Mandvi, Kutch-Gandhidhan, Wankaner, Jamjodhpur, Surat-Mandvi, Vapi, Gotri-Vadodara and Anand in next two months, Dr Mishra said.

GDP has maintained its position to be on the forefront in transforming lives of thousands of patients in need of kidney care in Gujarat for last eight years. With a staff strength of 350 technicians including ancillary staff trained by IKDRC, GDP perform high-quality dialysis without cost to visiting patients irrespective of their socio-economic background.

“All dialysis sessions are centrally monitored and data reports are generated every month for evaluation at three different levels to ensure better treatment outcomes for every patient,” stated Dr Mishra while elaborating about robust data monitoring system in place under GDP.

The concept of single-use dialyzer and blood tubing for every dialysis procedure has positioned Gujarat as the first state in the country to follow international standards to offer high quality dialysis. To and fro transport charges for every visit to GDP centres by BPL patients are also refunded with INR 300. Also, every dialysis performed at GDP centres across state are monitored through CCTV cameras and a central server installed at IKDRC in Ahmedabad