In this world, some crisis cannot be solved by a single individual but there are many good things that can happen when many people join hands together with the same thought. It is from such a generous thought which resulted in emerging of Abhayam in 2018 - a social group for people in need irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
By its nature Kasaragod is one of the most backward district in India. The backwardness reflects the most in its health care sector. Situation is much worse in dialysis sector.
Supply/DemandNumber of kidney patients increases day by day however no sufficient dialysis facilities are available in the Government sector. In 2018 around 600 dialysis patients were there in Kasaragod. There was a need of 150 dialysis machines to cater this requirement. But only 12 machines were available in Government Hospitals. This covered 8% of the total patient strength.
Rest were forced to depend on private hospitals.
Cost involved to carryout dialysis in private hospitals was massive. Average charge of Rs. 1000/- per dialysis and cost for Dialisser to be replaced after every 8 dialysis , injections, tablets , blood test etc created massive burden in the shoulders of common man. A patient carries out 3 dialysis per week requires around Rs. 25,000/- per month only for dialysis. This is inaccessible to the general public.
Cost for a dialysis patient per month in Rs. (Approx)| Particulars | Amount in Rs. | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 24,268 | |
| Dialysis | 13,000 | 13 dialysis per month |
| Dializer | 1,000 | After 8 dialysis |
| Injection (Erythropoietin) | 5,000 | Weekly Once (1,250*4) |
| Injection (I ronsucrose) | 968 | Weekly Once (242*4) |
| Tablets | 3,000 | Varies depends on each patient |
| Blood Test | 900 | |
| Doctors consultation | 400 |
It is impossible for 80 per cent of the families in our country to find such a large amount of money for regular dialysis. Even the income of an ordinary expatriate is not enough for that. It is a pity that the head of the family who is the sole source of income for many families himself becomes ill. It is unimaginable to go for a job when you have dialysis and traveling of around four hours, three times a week.
In such cases, they are forced to sell everything and get the treatment. The standard of living of other members of the family is also lost there.
Personal assistance is not practical for dialysis as it is a once-in-a-lifetime process that must be continued throughout life. This is because it is often the case that no individual or organization is willing to pay such a large sum on a regular basis. We can only imagine that there would not be individuals to help those who have been on dialysis for more than ten years by paying that much on a monthly basis. Aid usually stops with the onset of the disease.
The only viable alternative is a system that can be relied upon permanently by those in need of dialysis. Unfortunately, even 10 per cent cannot rely on government systems that cannot perform. There, voluntary organizations need to take on this mission. Outside of Kasargod, it has been more than a decade since political parties, organizations and trusts started doing this brilliantly. But no one in Kasargod district has come forward with such an initiative. It is in such a situation that the Abhayam Free Dialysis Center is formed.
Abhayam - Timline