Tirupati, Apr 7 (TNT): The Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences has stressed the need for greater awareness on Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), describing it as a safe and convenient home-based treatment for patients with kidney failure.
SVIMS Director and Vice-Chancellor Dr R. V. Kumar said the institute has emerged as a leading centre in the country for providing PD services and has developed specialised expertise in managing paediatric kidney diseases.
Kidney failure, or Chronic Kidney Disease, is a growing health concern, requiring dialysis when the kidneys fail to filter toxins from the blood. Doctors said Peritoneal Dialysis is increasingly being recognised as an effective alternative to haemodialysis.
SVIMS Head of Nephrology Dr Ram explained that PD uses the peritoneum, a natural membrane in the abdomen, as a filter to remove waste from the blood. The procedure involves inserting a catheter into the abdomen, allowing fluid to be introduced and later drained, and can be performed at home after proper training.
He said the method offers several advantages, including reduced hospital visits, greater independence for patients, stable blood pressure, and suitability for children and the elderly.
The institute said treatment is being provided free of cost under schemes such as Dr NTR Vaidya Seva, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Pranadan Trust, and the Government of India’s Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, covering expenses up to ₹10 lakh per patient.
SVIMS noted that PD is particularly beneficial for patients with acute renal failure, end-stage kidney disease, and CKD, and is often the only viable option for children, as paediatric haemodialysis machines are not widely available in India.
Currently, around 60 children are undergoing PD at the institute, which it said is the only centre in the state offering this specialised procedure. The department has successfully treated patients ranging from a 45-day-old infant to a 90-year-old elderly person.
Doctors emphasised that increasing public awareness would help patients opt for the right treatment at the right time.
TNT TS
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