Shillong, Feb 27: There is only one nephrologist in the state government hospitals to deal with dialysis cases involving the kidneys.
In reply to a question by Heavingatone Kharpran, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla admitted a shortage of specialists in the state, thereby affecting the dialysis
Medicine doctors are looking after the dialysis treatment in place of nephrologists, as there is only one nephrologist available in the state due to limited applicants.
The minister said that the state has 54 dialysis machines.
There are 12 in Shillong Civil Hospital, out of which two are not functional.
In Tura, there are 5 dialysis units and 4 in Jowai, out of which 3 are non-functional.
There are 2 in Nongpoh, 1 in U Tirot Sing Hospital and 3 in Resubelpara.
There are 42 in private hospitals.
The minister informed plans to expand dialysis units to all district hospitals and then to CHCs.
He said patient loads were rising and the department was working to increase machines and technicians.
Raising a supplementary question, VPP member Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit pointed out the plight of the poor patients being forced to seek costly private care.
“We cannot expect poor patients to resort to a private hospital,” Basaiawmoit said as he wanted the government to post nephrologists.
Shylla said government district hospitals charge Rs 3,000 per dialysis session, with costs covered under Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS); private hospitals are also empanelled.
“The department is trying its level best to strengthen services, and dialysis is already included under MHIS, and payments of over Rs 11.36 crore were made under the MHIS for dialysis treatment.
To a supplementary question, the Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma, Shylla, said that the government will explore possibilities to make treatment more affordable.
