Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme
Why in News?
A Parliamentary panel report in August 2026 recommended annual screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and wider use of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test for early detection. It also noted that annual haemodialysis sessions under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme increased from around 25 lakh to 70 lakh over five years, but urged greater use of home-based peritoneal dialysis, especially in rural and remote areas.
About the Programme
The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) was launched in 2016 as a component of the National Health Mission (NHM). It aims to provide free or affordable dialysis services to poor and vulnerable patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at public health facilities.
The programme is primarily implemented by States and Union Territories, with financial and technical support from the Union Government. Dialysis services are generally delivered through:
A Parliamentary panel report in August 2026 recommended annual screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and wider use of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test for early detection. It also noted that annual haemodialysis sessions under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme increased from around 25 lakh to 70 lakh over five years, but urged greater use of home-based peritoneal dialysis, especially in rural and remote areas.
About the Programme
The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) was launched in 2016 as a component of the National Health Mission (NHM). It aims to provide free or affordable dialysis services to poor and vulnerable patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at public health facilities.
The programme is primarily implemented by States and Union Territories, with financial and technical support from the Union Government. Dialysis services are generally delivered through:
- Public hospitals.
- Public–private partnership (PPP) arrangements.
- In-house dialysis centres operated by government institutions.
Latest Status
As reported by States and Union Territories on 30 June 2026:
As reported by States and Union Territories on 30 June 2026:
- The programme is operational in all 36 States and Union Territories.
- It covers 751 districts, including 44 linked districts.
- There are 1,856 haemodialysis centres.
- These centres have 13,535 haemodialysis machines.
The National Health Systems Resource Centre dashboard provides State-wise information on functional districts, dialysis centres and whether services are delivered through PPP or in-house arrangements.
Significance
1. Financial protection
Dialysis is a recurring and expensive treatment. Free or subsidised public dialysis reduces catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure and helps poor patients continue treatment.
2. Universal health coverage
PMNDP supports the objective of Universal Health Coverage by expanding access to life-saving treatment beyond major cities and private hospitals.
3. Decentralisation
The establishment of dialysis units in district hospitals reduces the need for patients to travel repeatedly to metropolitan centres. This is particularly important because dialysis often requires multiple sessions every week.
4. NCD control
CKD is closely associated with diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, dialysis services must be integrated with the prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases.
5. Public–private partnership
The PPP model permits the use of private-sector expertise, machines and maintenance systems while making services available through government hospitals.
Key Concerns
Significance
1. Financial protection
Dialysis is a recurring and expensive treatment. Free or subsidised public dialysis reduces catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure and helps poor patients continue treatment.
2. Universal health coverage
PMNDP supports the objective of Universal Health Coverage by expanding access to life-saving treatment beyond major cities and private hospitals.
3. Decentralisation
The establishment of dialysis units in district hospitals reduces the need for patients to travel repeatedly to metropolitan centres. This is particularly important because dialysis often requires multiple sessions every week.
4. NCD control
CKD is closely associated with diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, dialysis services must be integrated with the prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases.
5. Public–private partnership
The PPP model permits the use of private-sector expertise, machines and maintenance systems while making services available through government hospitals.
Key Concerns
- Haemodialysis remains concentrated in urban and better-equipped districts.
- Patients face difficulties related to transport, loss of wages and the continuous need for repeated sessions.
- Shortage of nephrologists, trained technicians, nurses and maintenance personnel affects service quality.
- Machine downtime and shortages of consumables can interrupt treatment.
- PPP contracts require strong monitoring to ensure quality, affordability and patient safety.
- The programme has focused more on haemodialysis, while peritoneal dialysis and home-based care remain underutilised.
- Early screening for CKD is inadequate, resulting in diagnosis at an advanced stage.
- Availability of safe water and reliable electricity is essential for dialysis centres.
Way Forward
The programme should move from a treatment-centred approach to a prevention–screening–treatment continuum. Annual CKD screening should be prioritised for people with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The use of eGFR testing, urine albumin testing, tele-nephrology, mobile dialysis units and home-based peritoneal dialysis can improve rural access.
State governments should also strengthen biomedical equipment maintenance, patient transport, district-level referral systems and transparent PPP monitoring.
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The programme should move from a treatment-centred approach to a prevention–screening–treatment continuum. Annual CKD screening should be prioritised for people with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The use of eGFR testing, urine albumin testing, tele-nephrology, mobile dialysis units and home-based peritoneal dialysis can improve rural access.
State governments should also strengthen biomedical equipment maintenance, patient transport, district-level referral systems and transparent PPP monitoring.
