Dialysis units in Kashmir’s hospitals transform CKD care, save lives

Srinagar, Jan 18: The steady expansion of dialysis units across district hospitals (DHs) and select sub-district hospitals (SDHs) in Kashmir is significantly transforming the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD), making life-saving treatment more affordable and accessible for thousands of patients.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government is now working towards providing dialysis facilities at every SDH, a move aimed at easing the burden on tertiary hospitals while reducing the financial and logistical strain on patients and their families.

For years, CKD has imposed high costs on patients in J&K, many of whom were forced to travel long distances to urban centres for treatment. Before the launch of the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) in 2016, dialysis was largely available only at private or urban facilities, with each session costing around Rs 1,500. For patients requiring dialysis twice a week, the expenses were often crippling.

With the rollout of PMNDP, dialysis units gradually began to come up at district hospitals across the country. In J&K, district hospital after district hospital was equipped with dialysis facilities, bringing treatment closer to patients’ homes and reducing both mortality rates and out-of-pocket expenditure. However, officials acknowledge that DHs often operate at full capacity, and even reaching these hospitals continues to involve travel costs for many patients.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo told Greater Kashmir that extending dialysis services to the SDH level is a key step towards equitable healthcare. “Our government is working to ensure dialysis facilities are available at every SDH. This will significantly reduce the healthcare costs borne by people, especially those suffering from lifelong kidney ailments,” she said.

The Minister said that the availability of equipment is not a constraint, adding that other operational modalities are being worked out. “This is about dignity and accessibility,” she added.

The initiative gathered pace in late 2024, with dialysis centres becoming functional in all 10 district hospitals of the Kashmir division. Major facilities such as DH Baramulla, DH Anantnag—both attached to Government Medical Colleges—and JLNM Hospital in Srinagar now have operational dialysis units.

In addition, 11 new dialysis units were made functional last year at SDHs and community health centres (CHCs), including SDH Dooru, SDH Kangan, SDH Tral and SDH Tangmarg. Many of these facilities were inaugurated by the Health Minister herself.

The expansion forms part of a broader push under the 2025–26 budget, which aims to extend dialysis services to all 83 SDHs and CHCs across Jammu and Kashmir.

For patients in remote areas such as Budgam or Kupwara, the move could end hours-long journeys to urban hospitals. “Families of CKD patients earlier faced severe logistical and financial hardships. Many skipped treatments due to travel costs and the expense of dialysis, while weather disruptions added to the difficulties,” said Mushtaq Ahmed from Kupwara, who has had two family members undergo dialysis.

Each dialysis unit is equipped with four to six machines, along with water treatment systems and backup facilities. Health officials say improved local access has led to better treatment compliance and an enhanced quality of life for patients. Studies have also shown that decentralised dialysis services improve compliance, reduce seroconversion risks during haemodialysis and lower dropout rates.

According to official figures, over 2.57 lakh patients have benefited from dialysis services in J&K up to October 2025. While PMNDP primarily targets district hospital coverage, many states continue to have dialysis facilities concentrated in urban areas. In contrast, J&K’s push towards decentralisation is being seen as a model that prioritises accessibility and patient dignity.