Pune: Aahwahan Foundation’s mobile dialysis units which travel to remote villages and offer free services have become a boon for many villagers suffering from kidney diseases.The NGO has three such units which visit villages in 10 talukas across Pune district and offer free door-to-door dialysis. The govt is yet to start something similar, while certain commercial organisations offer the facility for a sum.In Junnar’s remote village of Vitthalnagar stays a widow Sushma Patil (46). She would regularly travel to the city for dialysis. Now, the mobile unit saves her time and money, and ensures timely treatment.Demand for dialysis centres has increased in recent years with a rise in chronic kidney diseases. The state health department’s state bureau of health intelligence vital statistics data said deaths due to kidney failure doubled from 5,000 to 10,000 between 2018 and 2023.Patients are being reported from taluka and rural areas, but most dialysis centres are in district hospitals or tertiary care centres in cities. In such cases, mobile dialysis units have proved to be a blessing.CEO and founder of Aahwahan foundation Braja Kishore Pradhan said, “The initiative provides life-saving dialysis services to rural and remote communities where healthcare access is limited. Each unit is equipped with a doctor, a nurse and a dialysis technician. We distribute essential medicines and provide regular health check-ups, serving over 1,000 patients in a year.”Nephrologist Dr Rajeev NC mans one of the units. He said, “Regular dialysis is essential and delays could have serious repercussions. Time and money is precious for people in remote areas. We provide regular treatment and, in case of emergencies, families are guided on how to reach the nearest dialysis centre. The mobile units strengthen the existing system and reduce the load on tertiary care hospitals.”These units also cater to patients from city slums. Pradhan said, “Our units are equipped to also provide dental and eye care and house laboratory sections.”
