For about one lakh new kidney patients who are diagnosed every year in the country, nearly 90 per cent fail to avail of any treatment, given the high cost and unavailability of the technique at most places, specifically in remote areas.

But with newer interventions like the Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) making its inroads, nephrologists around the country are positive of seeing a rise in the number of patients for availing the treatment.

It's a disturbing trend but this was the central topic for discussion at the two-day seminar on 'Latest Trends in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis' organized recently in Ahmedabad by the Peritoneal Dialysis Society of India (PDSI).

Dr Umesh Khanna, a Mumbai nephrologist, who attended the conference, told this correspondent that CAPD has been showing a record growth rate of around 26 per cent, definitely higher than the world average of 15 per cent. It is pegged to be the fastest growing therapy among kidney patients in India. Until now, about 2500 patients have been initiated on CAPD in India, given its affordability and easy advantages over other dialysis techniques.

The patients staying in smaller towns and villages, who were devoid of any dialysis treatment, could now be assured of some relief through CAPD. Lower infection rates (1 per 19 patients per month) that nearly compares to the West, higher success rate, simplicity of the procedure and lack of any machinery or hospital setup makes CAPD an ideal choice for dialysis treatment.

The two-day event even encouraged pharma majors Baxter India and Claris (Core), the only two major manufacturers of dialysis fluids and accessories in the country, to tell their western counterparts that "we are not far behind." The twin bag disposable system that was displayed by the local companies was even hailed as the most viable model for Indian conditions.

But despite making sufficient gains, the organizers were still perturbed about the high cost of treatment that ranges from around 15-18,000 per month. But with the demographic rise in the patients with kidney problems, local pharma companies have assured of an even low alternative some time in the future.

The assembly even called upon the government to help in making the technology reachable to the masses in remote and inaccessible areas. As per the delegation, all major cities have hemodialysis facilities but most smaller towns and villages do not even have access to dialysis, as the cost varies to around 10-15 thousand, which is largely unaffordable to the people.

According to them, CAPD could be the sole hope for such patients as it is a very viable alternative giving them good quality of life despite having a kidney failure.