Chandigarh, November 20, 2025: Punjab’s health department has outlined a plan to extend free dialysis services to all 64 government hospitals in the state, building on the current network of 40 facilities where treatment is already available.
Officials said the expansion aims to ensure that no kidney patient is denied treatment due to distance, affordability or shortage of machines. The department is conducting assessments on infrastructure, manpower and maintenance requirements at hospitals where dialysis units are yet to be set up.
As part of the ongoing phase, the state has reported 4,831 patients using the service and 32,800 dialysis sessions conducted since April 2024. Health authorities say the steady increase in demand underscores the need for wider coverage.
To support the upgrade, the government has partnered with social organisations, including the Hans Foundation, through which 30 high-end dialysis machines have been installed in select hospitals. Officials said the partnership model helps bridge equipment gaps and standardise service quality.
The free-of-cost service is available to all patients without income restrictions. Digital record-keeping has been introduced to help patients continue treatment seamlessly at any government hospital.
The health department said the state-wide expansion will be rolled out in stages, with priority given to districts that currently lack dialysis facilities.
