In a unique initiative, the Baleswar district administration has launched a free bus service for patients with kidney disease on frequent dialysis.
District Collector DattatrayaBhausahebShinde flagged off the ‘Sanjeevani Express’ in the District Headquarters Hospital premises on Thursday in the presence of CDMO DrDulalsenJagadev and other officials.
The kidney patients are on the rise in the district, where hundreds are undergoing dialysis at different private hospitals and the DHH. There are 60 patients on dialysis at the DHH and they have to visit the hospital at least two to three times a week. Although free dialysis facility is provided at the hospital, the patients need to bear other expenses including transportation and food amounting to around Rs 2,500.
Considering the patients’ financial conditions, district health officials had sent a proposal to the Collector to provide free transport facility for the patients. The Collector granted the permission for this.
About Rs 1.30 lakh will be spent with implementation of the service for each patient. The expenses will be borne by the ZillaSwasthyaSamiti and different corporations in first phase, said Shinde, describing the free bus service for kidney patients as the first of its kind in the State.