Coimbatore has taken a significant step towards accessible healthcare with the inauguration of a new, fully-equipped dialysis centre. Lok Sabha member Ganapathy P Rajkumar formally opened the facility, established by the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) at the Seethalakshmi Maternity Hospital on Devangapet HS Road.
Affordable Care for the Underprivileged
The centre is a boon for economically weaker patients, offering dialysis at a highly subsidised rate of Rs 375 per session. Furthermore, it will provide free dialysis services to patients holding either state or central government health insurance cards. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden of regular dialysis, a critical treatment for kidney patients.
Infrastructure and Operational Details
Built at a total cost of Rs 2.5 crores, the centre is a collaborative effort between the CCMC, the Rotary Club, and the Tanker Foundation. The building itself was constructed for Rs 1.49 crore from the corporation's general fund. The advanced machinery and accessories, imported from Germany at a cost of Rs 1.1 crore, were sponsored by the Rotary Club.
The facility is equipped with 10 beds, allowing it to accommodate up to 20 patients daily through two sessions. It will operate from 7 am to 5 pm and is scheduled to open to the public after January 19. The operation and maintenance will be managed by the Tanker Foundation.
Safety and Future Expansion
G Samuel, field manager of Tanker Foundation in Madurai, outlined the safety protocols. A well-trained technician will be present at all times, and a doctor will be available for checkups at least twice a month or as needed. The centre has also arranged ambulance tie-ups for emergencies during dialysis sessions.
He clarified that the centre will serve only stable patients after a screening process and will not cater to those who require dialysis exclusively in a hospital setting. For future needs, the corporation has built an adjacent large room, currently a waiting area, which can be converted into an additional dialysis centre with more machinery.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mayor R Ranganayaki, Corporation Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran, and other officials, marking a crucial development in Coimbatore's public health infrastructure.
