Karnataka launches free at-home peritoneal dialysis for 350 patients under PMNDP

For the first time, Karnataka introduces free home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) for selected patients under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, offering a patient-friendly alternative to hospital-based hemodialysis.

In a major boost to kidney care, Karnataka has announced the rollout of free home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) services under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP). This marks the first time such a service will be made available in the comfort of patients’ homes, significantly reducing the burden of frequent hospital visits.

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According to an order issued on September 11, the initiative will initially cover 350 patients, about 10 from each district, who will be identified by nephrologists at the district level. “Under the PMNDP, hemodialysis services have already been successfully launched across all districts of Karnataka.

 The inclusion of PD services in district hospitals with nephrologists will give patients more options and easier access to healthcare,” the order stated.
Unlike hemodialysis, which filters blood using an external machine and requires patients to visit hospitals multiple times a week, PD uses the patient’s abdominal lining and a special dialysis fluid to filter waste right at home. This makes the process far more convenient, especially for patients in rural areas or those with mobility challenges.

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The Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) will procure PD bags and consumables at an estimated cost of ₹26,400 per patient per month for six months, totalling ₹5.54 crore for the scheme. Meanwhile, catheter insertion, hospital charges, training, and the first PD session costs will be covered by the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) under the Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka (ABArK) scheme.

To ensure smooth execution, the state health department will soon begin training district-level officials to oversee and support the at-home procedure. Health experts believe this initiative will not only improve quality of life for kidney patients but also reduce the pressure on already overburdened dialysis centers.

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