CMCH to launch one more kidney dialysis unit tomorrow

One more kidney dialysis unit will be launched at Chittagong Medical College Hospital tomorrow.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim is expected to inaugurate it, said CMCH officials.

Initially, 62 patients will be treated in two sessions a day at the unit equipped with 31 dialysis machines, said Brig Gen Jalal Uddin, director of the hospital.

The number of sessions would be increased gradually, he added. Now, there is a dialysis unit at the nephrology department where 42 patients are given treatment through 10 machines, said Nurul Huda, an associate professor of the department. A dialysis session costs Tk 400 there where the new unit will charge Tk 2,190, said Huda.

Asked about the higher charge, Huda said he heard that there is provision for concession for the poor patients.

Director Jalal said a total of 6,500 sessions would be preserved for the poor patients in a year and they will pay Tk 400 each for per session.

The government will pay the rest Tk 1,790 for them, he said.

To provide better service, the government along with an Indian company, Sandor Medicaids Pvt Ltd, has taken the initiative under public private partnership, said Jalal.

The company will take the responsibilities for operation and maintenance of the machines under the authority of CMCH, he added.