Nephrologists’ body to resume dialysis services today

GNA representative Dr Jigar Srimali said government health authorities have neither responded to their grievances nor called any meetings so far. “We are resuming services for now because we do not want patients to be troubled. However, we will wait for another week or so to see how the government responds. The ultimate step would be to withdraw ourselves from PMJAY. We are also looking at legal steps,” Dr Srimali said. Private nephrologists serve at more than 60 centres run by the government.

Dialysis under PMJAY was closed from August 14 to 16 to protest against, among other issues, the reduced rate of dialysis — from Rs 2,300 to Rs 1,950 — under the scheme. The new rate has been effective since July 11.

GNA has sought to keep the charges to around Rs 2,200, including Rs 1,500 for dialysis and Rs 700 for the medicine and injection package, as prescribed by the National Health Authority and on par with other states.

According to GNA, more than 4,000 dialysis sessions were provided free of charge in the private sector during the three-day strike.