Details you need to know about kidney dialysis cost

Before jumping to kidney dialysis cost you should first know about what is kidney dialysis and who should receive it. So firstly, kidney dialysis is a procedure which performs the same function as your kidney. All of us know that when the kidney cannot perform the task of filtering the waste particles and flushing them out of the body, then the waste particles start to accumulate. These waste particles accumulated in the body are called toxins and if they are not flushed out of the body, they can result in death. This is where kidney dialysis treatment comes into play. The dialysis machine works as a substitute for your kidney and performs the functions of your kidneys to flush out the toxins of the body. Secondly, why do you need kidney dialysis treatment? If you are a renal failure patient and your kidneys cannot function properly and flush out the toxins from the body, then you need external support to function as your kidneys.  But the kidney dialysis cost can be very high. Though the cost might vary from place to place, on average it remains the same.

The kidney dialysis cost can take a heavy toll on the patient as well as the family of the patient. As it is a long time incurring costs this can drain the patient's family savings. Kidney dialysis is a life-saving treatment and hence the patient's family is left with no choice but to choose this dialysis treatment. Many times, it becomes almost impossible for patients and their families to continue with this treatment. Even though they know very well that their patient might die. Not all families in the country can afford private treatments for a longer period of time. And in most renal failure cases, kidney dialysis treatment is a lifetime support for them. They might not survive without this procedure, as their kidney has stopped functioning.

There are many centres across India that provide kidney dialysis treatment to their patients. Both government centres and private centres in India provide kidney dialysis treatment. But the real difference between these two centres is the kidney dialysis cost. Most of the patients cannot afford the private centres' treatment because of the high cost. As a result, the government centres that provide kidney dialysis treatment always remain full to their brim. So it might become very difficult for you to get a place for your patient's dialysis treatment. So ultimately many families have to go to private hospitals without their choice. But these days there are many private hospitals that are providing holistic care to their renal failure patients at a very reasonable cost. These private hospitals tie in with the government’s national health mission programmes to cater to the large population of our country. 

Eskag Sanjeevani is one the prominent hospitals in Kolkata that provide holistic care to their renal failure patients. Their dialysis unit is constantly helping patients to lead normal lives. Their staff are skilled and trained in every aspect to handle renal failure patients. With 2, 80,000 successfully treated patients and 17 lakh sessions Eskag Sanjeevani proudly call itself one of the best hospitals for nephrological treatments in Kolkata. It is one of the hospitals which provide holistic care to their patients and the cost of kidney dialysis cost are also very reasonable. They cater to all kinds of patients throughout India. After joining hands with the Central government of INDIA, Eskag Sanjeevani provides no-cost dialysis treatment under the PM - Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program to patients who are below the poverty line. With the tie-up with this government programme, Eskag  Sanjeevani provides first-class renal treatments to those people who belong to the below poverty line. Otherwise, these people would have been left out with no options of their own. Eskag Sanjeevani helps them to get a new life.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is removed from the patient’s bloodstream during dialysis treatment?

During the kidney dialysis treatment, the waste particles like urea, creatinine, potassium and extra fluids are removed from the bloodstream and the fresh blood is replenished in the body.

2. What kind of food a patient undergoing dialysis should avoid?

A patient undergoing dialysis should always avoid food rich in sodium and fats

3. Which hospital is the most cost-effective when it comes to kidney dialysis treatment?

Eskag Sanjeevani in Kolkata is considered one of the best hospitals for dialysis treatment.

4. How can a patient get free kidney dialysis treatment in India?

Under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme which is also known as PMNDP which was launched in 2016, a patient can avail of free dialysis treatment at a hospital. Eksag Sanjeevani is one of the hospitals in Kolkata that provides free dialysis treatment to their patients under this programme.

5. What levels of creatinine levels in the blood indicate kidney failure?

If the creatinine level in the blood exceeds more than 1.2 for women and 1.4 for men, then it might be an indication that your kidneys might not be working properly. Usually, when this happens the doctor runs several other tests.

6. Can a patient undergoing kidney dialysis treatment live a normal life?

The answer to this question is yes. A patient undergoing kidney dialysis treatment can do normal activities like any other normal person. But the person undergoing kidney dialysis treatment should always be under observation. 

7. How long a dialysis patient has to stay in the hospital?

Normally a patient undergoing dialysis treatment has to spend around 5 to 6 hours per session and 2 to 3 days a week. For these sessions, a patient does not have to spend a full day at the hospital. If any complications arise during, before or after the dialysis treatment the doctor might keep the patient for further treatment and observation.

8. How many sessions of kidney dialysis treatment per week?

Usually, the number of sessions a patient will have will depend on the doctor. The average sessions of dialysis treatment per patient are around 2 to 3 sessions per week. But this number may vary depending on the condition of the patient.

9. Is kidney dialysis treatment covered by insurance in India?

Yes, many insurance groups cover the cost of kidney dialysis treatment in India.

10. What are the main causes of kidney failure?

The two main causes of renal failure are high blood pressure and diabetes. Both high blood pressure and diabetes contribute to renal failure in the long run. Other than these two causes, physical injury or any other kind of renal disorder can contribute to renal failure.

11. Is kidney dialysis permanent or temporary treatment?

The correct answer to this question lies in the decision of your doctor. However, many renal failure patients usually stay on a long time for dialysis treatment. However, if the patient's kidney starts functioning properly then the doctor may advise stopping the dialysis treatment.

12. How many hours does each dialysis session last?

Each session of kidney dialysis treatment lasts about 4 to 5 hours and 2 to 3 sessions a week.

13. What are the symptoms when a patient first starts dialysis treatment?

During the first few sessions, patients may feel nausea, vomiting, cramping, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. However, these symptoms will go away after the first few sessions. But if the symptoms persist even after the first few sessions then the patient might consult a doctor.

14. Which type of dialysis treatment is cheaper?

Peritoneal Dialysis treatment is considered the most cost-effective out of the two types of kidney dialysis treatment.

15. Which is the safest dialysis treatment?

Peritoneal Dialysis is considered a very safe and cost-effective dialysis treatment. It can also be done without any help from anyone

17. Can a patient undergo kidney dialysis treatment travel?

The answer is yes, most patients who receive kidney dialysis treatment travel safely and continue their dialysis treatment while away from home. But before travelling a patient who is under dialysis treatment must consult the doctor first.

18. Is kidney dialysis treatment can be done at home?

The answer is yes. If the patient does not wish to go to the hospital every day for the dialysis treatment then the patient can opt-out for home dialysis treatment. However, these costs can go up and down because of different factors such as the cost of the pieces of equipment.

19. Can kidney damage be repaired by dialysis treatment?

Any kind of severe kidney damage cannot be reversed. But an external support system can perform the functions of the kidney. Kidney dialysis treatment is one such procedure, it performs the tasks of the kidneys.

20. What is a kidney-friendly diet for a renal failure patient?

A kidney-friendly diet for a renal failure patient should include lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, fat-less dairy, and whole grains and exclude foods rich in sodium, fat and  cholesterol.