Over five lakh kidney patients require dialysis or transplant

New Delhi, April 26 - Around 5.5 lakh patients in the country require dialysis or kidney transplant, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Dialysis facility is available with central government hospitals like All India Institute of Medical Sciences -, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research -, Puducherry, and Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research -, Chandigarh, the Lok Sabha was informed Friday.

In a written reply, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said: Cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes are the leading causes of chronic kidney diseases. The national programme for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and stroke - has been launched by the government, which will help in reducing chronic renal diseases and incidences of renal failure.

The government is also giving support for strengthening or up-gradation of medical colleges and district hospitals which includes services for chronic kidney diseases also, he said.