In the Union Budget, 2016-17, the Union Government announced a new Programme, namely, the National Dialysis Program through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode under the National Health Mission (NHM).
End-stage renal disease affects about 2.2 lakh new patients every year.
This will benefit the medical device industry more than it will benefit the patients.
Public Health being a State Subject, under NHM support is provided to States/ UTs for strengthening of their healthcare systems including for provision of dialysis services based on the requirements posed them in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).
Funds will be made available through PPP Mode under the National Health Mission, to provide dialysis services in all district hospitals.
To reduce the cost, the Finance Minister proposed to exempt certain parts of dialysis equipment from basic customs duty, excise/CVD and SAD.
Estimates show kidney failures among Indians has doubled in the last 15 years. The incidence of end-stage kidney disease is estimated at 150-230 per million and about 2,20,000-2,75,000 new patients need Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) every year.
However, experts say the government needs to bring in more clarity in details on payments to the service providers as that may affect services. The basis of the payments need to be worked on.
Launched with technical support from national health systems resource centre (NHSRC), the scheme aims to provide dialysis care in every district across the country.
The ministry released the guidelines setting up the dialysis centres under public private partnership. The ministry has also prepared model tender documents.
The guideline and the model document will help states to invite tenders from private players for equipments etc. States have been asked to start deliberation on the programme at the earliest. The scheme is part of the National Health Mission.
Looking at the increasing number of patients suffering from End Stage Kidney Diseases (ESKD), the initiative of the ministry to push for more dialysis centres through the PPP model is a boon.