Establishing a Dialysis unit in Coonoor

The Nilgiris, because of its difficult terrain and comparatively lower density of population has been at a relative dis advantage in so far as medical facilities are concerned. Large estates spread over extensive hillsides with reasonably separated labor dwelling centers has accentuated the problem further as connectivity and movement too is a challenge. 

Aggressive marketing by large Corporates and easy availability of all consumer and lifestyle

products in nearby urban population centers has however brought the challenges and ills of

modern living into these otherwise remote areas. These lifestyle changes have resulted in the simple local population falling prey to ever increasing incidence of diabetes and hypertension.

Kidney ailments have been an area of concern because of all the above, thus making renal

failure more common and larger numbers of people requiring dialysis. An unavoidable

phenomenon and a challenge.

Dialysis units are currently available only at Ooty, the district headquarters and

at Coimbatore, the main city in the plains which is almost 80 kilometers away from Coonoor. 

The Dialysis units at Ooty are already running to capacity and there is a constant

waiting list of patients waiting for a slot to happen in the otherwise tight schedule in the

Government Hospital at Ooty. Dialysis in the Government Hospital is free. This is

currently the only Dialysis facility in the District. Ooty is about 20 kilometers away from Coonoor and both transportation and personal logistics for poor patients is a very expensive challenge. Coimbatore on the other hand is further away, is a big city and tends to be less friendly to outsiders who need to set up residence in the city to meet the typical dialysis cycle that Nephrologists recommend. A very stressful experience in terms of convenience, cost and logistics for the poor/underserved patients of the areas in and around Coonoor.

In view of these circumstances, it is felt that establishing a subsidized or free facility for dialysis in Coonoor will be a boon to the poor and underserved communities in Coonoor and its neighborhood.

The Rotary Club of the Nilgiris has committed itself to meet this humanitarian challenge

affecting our community head on and facilitate the establishment of a reasonably sized Dialysis unit in Coonoor. The project is seen to be completely in sync with the overall charter and objectives of the Rotary movement to serve the community.

The Rotary Club of the Nilgiris (RCN) has got into a joint venture arrangement with the

‘Siddhagiri Sai Healing Centre’ in the ‘Siddhagiri Sai Dharamkshetra’ in Yedapalli in

Coonoor. The Hospital is co located with the Temple in the Siddhagiri Sai Dharamkshetra and will be affiliated with the same.It is a new hospital in the final stages of construction and it is expected to be inaugurated and launched in January 2020. The hospital is being created with multiple Operation theatres, modern multiple scanning facilities; pharmacy and provision for 30+ in patients. Dialysis will be free for all patients who need the same. In fact all treatment in this well provisioned hospital will be free. All civil works and infrastructure will be done under the aegis of the Dharmaskshetra. They will provide the doctor and Nursing support and conduct the procedures under their care. A nephrologist has also been taken on board to visit periodically and review local cases needing/undergoing Dialysis.

It would be RCN’s. (Rotary Club of the Nilgiris-RCN) aim to initially create a four machine set up in the hospital. 4 Machines and all ancillary items have already been arranged. The 5 th machine will be provided by RCN. The building has been completed and the time for installing machines and ancillaries is fast approaching.

RCN is committed to support and provision for running the facility for 12 months after which the Siddhagiri Sai healing centre will be taking on the subsequent running of the facility. RCN will informally oversee that the system continues to function effectively as an integral part of the Hospital’s functional system.  Once the system is fully settled and the demand so dictates, an additional machine will be added after a few months under RCN’s aegis.

Equipment profile in a Dialysis unit:

The main equipment that is included in a Dialysis unit is the following:-

1. Hemodialysis Machine –5 No’s ( 4 available)

2. RO plant - 1 ( Available)

3. RO Plant Ring System ( To be installed-Mostly high quality plumbing)

4. Dialyzer Cleaning unit 1 (Available)

5. Bio Carbonate Mixer unit - 1 (Available)

6. Assured water supply --- ( Well catered for at the hospital)

7. Hospital Beds, stands, furniture etc (part of hospital stores).

Financial Implication (Please also see the Power Point Presentation attached).

1. Cost per round of Dialysis including expendables etc - Rs 1000/-

2. No of procedures per machine per day –3

3. No of procedures per day with 4 machines -12 (5 th machine will be a reserve)

4. No of procedures per year with 6 working days per week-6x52x12=3744

5. Expecting an overall average of 80% occupancy in year one - 3000 procedures.

6. Operational cost expected- 3000 x 1000 = 30,00,000/- (a)

7. Cost of 5 th machine - Rs 8,00,000/- (b)

8. Expected cost of AMC - (10%) 3,00,000/- (c)

9. For any misc unexpected overheads –3,00,000/- (d)

10. Total fund requirement ( a+b+c+d) = Rs 44,00,000/- (Forty four lacs)

Conclusion:

With increased incidence of Kidney problems and renal failure in the Coonoor Taluk of The

Nilgiris, it is felt that a dialysis unit in Coonoor is a very essential community and humanitarian requirement especially for the under privileged sections of society.

The Rotary Club of the Nilgiris has committed itself to partner with the Sidddhagiri Sai Healing centre in Yeddapalli in Coonoor to make this a reality.

While the Siddhagiri Sai Healing centre is establishing the basic infrastructure, the Rotary Club of the Nilgiris has agreed to run the facility for a year till the facility becomes a integral part of the hospital and the hospital will take on this thereafter. The fifth machine will also be procured under the RCN aegis.

The Total financial implication is 44, 00,000/-. The Rotary Club of the Nilgiris is a charitable

organization and hopes to be supported by generous and philanthropic people to raise this

money and serve the underserved communities through this very vital medical support facility.

All contributions to the Rotary Club of the Nilgiris Charitable Trust are exempt from Income

tax under section 80 G of the income tax act 1961.

Please make generous contributions.