Dialysis Centres in Kerala: Meeting the Growing Need for Kidney Care

 

What is Dialysis?

Dialysis is a medical treatment that performs the function of the kidneys when they are no longer able to work properly. It removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood—tasks normally handled by healthy kidneys. Dialysis is typically needed when a person reaches end-stage kidney failure, often caused by chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

There are two main types of dialysis:

Hemodialysis – Blood is filtered through a machine outside the body and then returned cleaned.

Peritoneal Dialysis – A cleansing fluid is introduced into the abdomen, where it absorbs waste and is later drained.

Dialysis may be done in a hospital, dialysis center, or at home, depending on the patient’s condition and treatment plan. While dialysis is not a cure for kidney disease, it helps patients live longer and feel better by doing the job of failed kidneys

Rising Need for Dialysis in Kerala

Kerala has seen a sharp rise in the number of patients requiring dialysis over the past few years. With high rates of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension, the incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has surged. Between 2020 and 2023, the number of dialysis-dependent patients in the state increased by over 300%. This growing demand has prompted major investments in dialysis infrastructure across both public and private sectors. As a result, numerous Dialysis Centres in Kerala have been established to meet this urgent healthcare need.

Government Schemes Supporting Dialysis in Kerala

To reduce the financial burden of dialysis, the Kerala government runs several schemes:

Samaswasam Scheme: Provides monthly financial assistance to kidney patients, especially those from below-poverty-line (BPL) households, to help cover dialysis expenses.

Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF): Offers financial aid for treatment of life-threatening diseases, including kidney failure. Dialysis patients can avail free or subsidized sessions at empanelled hospitals under this scheme.

Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): Several private hospitals in Kerala are empanelled under this central government scheme, offering cashless dialysis to beneficiaries holding Ayushman cards.

These schemes have played a pivotal role in expanding access to dialysis services, ensuring many Dialysis Centres in Kerala provide affordable care to vulnerable populations.

Cost of Dialysis in Kerala

The cost of dialysis in Kerala varies based on the type of institution:

Government Hospitals: Dialysis is either free or costs as little as ₹400–₹600 per session. For BPL patients, the service is often completely subsidized.

Charitable Centres: Many operate on donations and offer dialysis at minimal charges (₹0–₹300 per session), depending on patient income and family status.

Private Hospitals: Typically charge between ₹1,000–₹2,500 per session, depending on services offered. However, many are empanelled under government health insurance schemes.

Despite affordability in many centres, patients undergoing long-term dialysis still face high indirect costs, including transportation, lost wages, and recurring medical expenses. This makes the availability of affordable Dialysis Centres in Kerala crucial for many families.

Challenges and Way Forward

Kerala’s dialysis infrastructure has made significant strides, but challenges remain:

High patient load: Many Dialysis Centres in Kerala operate at full capacity, leading to waiting lists.

Chronic lifestyle diseases: With over 23% of the population diabetic (almost double the national average), the burden of kidney-related illnesses is growing.

Financial strain: Even with free or subsidized care, families often struggle with indirect costs.

To address these issues, the state is investing in home dialysis training, mobile units, and public-private partnerships to scale capacity further. Awareness campaigns on preventive kidney care and early detection are also being promoted.

Advanced Kidney Care at TMM Hospital, Tiruvalla

At Tiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital’s Nephrology Department, patients receive expert care for kidney-related conditions—with leading nephrologists such as Dr. Sangeeth Kumar and Dr. Sreedas G on staff. The department diagnoses and manages chronic kidney disease, acute renal conditions, kidney stones, nephrotic syndrome, and provides dialysis services.

The Dialysis Unit is equipped with modern machines and staffed by experienced nephrology nurses, delivering high-quality treatments including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. This unit also benefits from community support: in early 2024, the Rotary Club donated multiple dialysis machines to augment capacity and pledged free treatment for dozens of patients.

TMM offers a patient-centric approach, with a focus on early diagnosis, preventive care, and accessible treatment under government schemes. With its commitment to quality, TMM Hospital stands out as a trusted centre among Dialysis Centres in Kerala for renal healthcare in central Kerala.