India Expands Dialysis Services with Over 1,700 Centres Operational

India has made significant strides in expanding its dialysis services, with 1,704 centres now operational across 751 districts. The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) aims to provide free dialysis to those in need, particularly in rural areas where kidney disease prevalence is rising. With over 28.5 lakh patients served and 355.46 lakh sessions conducted, the initiative addresses a critical public health issue. Learn more about the government's efforts to enhance healthcare access for kidney disease patients in this comprehensive overview.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 1, 2025, 16:54 IST

Expansion of Dialysis Centres in India

New Delhi, Aug 1: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, announced on Friday that as of June 30, India has 1,704 operational dialysis centres.

In a written statement to the Lok Sabha, Jadhav detailed that these centres, part of the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP), are distributed across 751 districts in 36 states.

He confirmed, "As of June 30, there are 1,704 centres in operation."

The government has proposed establishing haemodialysis centres in all district hospitals initially, with plans to extend services to Community Health Centres (CHCs) at the taluka level based on demand and gap assessments conducted by the states and Union Territories (UTs).

“The National Health Mission (NHM) assists States and UTs in implementing haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis services under the PMNDP, guided by the gap assessments outlined in their annual Programme Implementation Plans. Financial support is provided to ensure dialysis services reach all populations, including those in remote and tribal regions,” the Minister stated.

Launched in 2016, the PMNDP aims to offer free dialysis services to economically disadvantaged individuals. Currently, there are 12,028 haemodialysis machines available, and approximately 28.5 lakh patients have utilized these services, resulting in 355.46 lakh haemodialysis sessions conducted under the programme.

Kidney diseases pose a significant public health challenge in India, with the prevalence increasing from 11.2% (2011-2017) to 16.38% (2018-2023) among individuals aged 15 and older.

A recent study published in the journal Nephrology highlights that Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is particularly prevalent in rural areas, affecting 15.34% of the population compared to 10.65% in urban settings.

CKD is characterized by the gradual decline of the kidneys' ability to filter waste from the bloodstream.