NHM Assam and Oil Corporations Sign MoUs for Advanced Hemodialysis Machines

The National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, has partnered with Oil India Rural Development Society and Numaligarh Refinery Limited to procure hemodialysis machines. With financial assistance of Rs. 2.5 crore each, these efforts aim to improve kidney failure treatments in the state and reduce patient expenses.

The National Health Mission (NHM) in Assam has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Oil India Rural Development Society, Duliajan, and Numaligarh Refinery Limited. The signing, witnessed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, took place in the state capital. Each entity will provide Rs. 2.5 crore as part of CSR funds for the procurement of hemodialysis machines, aimed at treating advanced kidney failure patients, according to a release from the Chief Minister's Office.

The newly acquired hemodialysis machines will be installed at dialysis centres to serve patient needs more efficiently. The MoUs aim to increase the availability of these machines and lessen the out-of-pocket expenditure for patients currently undergoing treatment for nephrological ailments.

Through the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program, the Department of Health and Family Welfare of Assam is already providing free hemodialysis services at 41 centres, featuring 277 hemodialysis machines located in public health institutes. In response to growing demand, dialysis services will be expanded to 37 additional hospitals, offering 150 more hemodialysis machines across the state. Present at the signing were Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare P. Ashok Babu, Mission Director of NHM Assam M.S. Lakshmi Priya, MD of NRL Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan, CGM of NRL Kajal Saikia, President of Oil India Rural Development Society Bhairab Bhuyan, and other senior officers from the Government of Assam, NRL, and OIL.

(With inputs from agencies.)