Gandhinagar: Gujarat government today declared a helpline on numbers – 1800 233 1022 and 9059191905 – for patients who are in need of dialysis amidst the strike by nephrologist against dialysis of PMJAY beneficiary patients.

Addressing media friends about the current situation of dialysis in the state, Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Manoj Agarwal said that the state government has allocated Rs. 1650 per dialysis and Rs. 300 round trip fare, thus total Rs. 1950 has been decided for per dialysis per patient.

He added that according to the National Health Authority, the average amount given for dialysis in empaneled hospitals under PMJAY in other states of the country is Rs.1500.

He further stated that the state government has made a well-planned measure so that not a single patient of the state should suffer while undergoing dialysis. Under the A-One Dialysis programme, the state government has commissioned a total of 272 free dialysis centers up to the taluka level.

In addition, free dialysis services are also being provided in civil hospitals of the state. An average of 1 lakh dialysis per month is done at these centers in the state. The prevailing rates of dialysis at PMJAY Empaneled Hospital are higher than the average rates provided in other states of the country.

Private doctors linked to Nephrology Association of Gujarat are on strike from today till August 16 for PMJAY scheme beneficiary patients, over government’s move to reduce the rates for dialysis from Rs. 2,300 to Rs. 1,950 under PMJAY scheme (including Rs. 300 as transport allowance for patients).

The rate of dialysis, the association is seeking is Rs 2,500, in which Rs 300 shall be the transport allowance for patients. The association has stated that if the demand of fixing the rates suggested by them is not accepted, then as many as 120 private doctors may withdraw from PMJAY scheme.

The doctors associated with the Association have halted carrying out dialysis under the PMJAY from today for three days against 17% reduction in re-imbursement rates. The doctors under the association claim Rs. 1650 compensation is impractical.

The association is also demanding permission to reuse dialysis filters as per the NHA and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s guidelines. DeshGujarat