Udupi's dialysis unit paralyzed: Karandlaje seeks action against contracted agency

Udupi: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje, expressed her dismay over the Dialysis Unit in Udupi district being shut suddenly. She instructed the concerned officials to take appropriate action against the contracted agency.

She spoke to the media after visiting the district hospital here on Saturday.

Udupi is facing a critical situation as all 11 dialysis machines have been non-operational for a few days now. Karandlaje sternly questioned the state government’s response, stating, “The dialysis beds in Udupi district hospital remain empty. Patients have resorted to seeking treatment in private hospitals for the past month.”

However, the SK Sanjeevani organization, responsible for the maintenance and running of dialysis machines, formally notified the government of their cessation of services at 122 hospitals across the state only on October 1, she said.

Machines are not being serviced, nor are they repaired. The commissioner of health department has no information about this. “What was the state government doing for all this time?” she sought to know.

Karandlaje expressed her concern for the underprivileged patients, questioning why the state government has yet to implement alternative measures. She further emphasized the broader ramifications, highlighting that “the condition of dialysis centers across the state mirrors that of Udupi. The government must promptly address the issue of reimbursing patients for dialysis expenses.”

In response to this crisis, the Union Minister extended an offer of support from the central government. “If the state government makes the request, the central government is prepared to step in. We are ready to provide new machines and necessary training,” she assured.

Local MLAs, Yashpal Suvarna and Gurme Suresh Shetty, as well as District Incharge Surgeon Dr Veena, were present during the visit.