Fortis Healthcare (India) launched Renkare, a chain of stand-alone dialysis centres today, with a view to expand Fortis' reach and help to meet the rising demand for quality dialysis. The company plans to set up 50 standalone dialysis centres across the country over the next two years, in a phased manner.
In the first phase, six centres will come up across Delhi and NCR covering the territories in the North, South, West and East. Manned by a team of highly talented and experienced renal specialists and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, Renkare will offer excellence in dialysis through reliable, safe and effective services in a hygienic and home-like environment. The centres will also focus on educational programmes, to help patients live reasonably healthy and productive lives, even while on haemodialysis.
The centres will have standardised, international dialysis protocols, including the unique Water Testing Protocol, combined with a meticulously clean environment and other comforts like reclining chairs, WiFi connectivity and personal LCD screens for a relaxed dialysis experience.
According to Aditya Vij, CEO, Fortis Healthcare (India), "We consistently strive to offer the highest quality in healthcare services, employing the finest medical talent, using the latest technologies and widening the range of offerings for our patients. With Renkare, we will establish a pan India network of standalone centres that will offer a high quality, convenient and relaxed experience to dialysis patients."
Dr Varun Sethi, CEO, Renkare added, "Our state-of-the-art dialysis centres will expand the access and options for care for patients on dialysis. Our mission is to provide a network of quality dialysis centres to the growing populace with kidney failure. We will start with major metros, and expanding the network to tier II and III cities, where access to care is most needed, but often unavailable."
India is often described as the diabetes capital of the world and renal failure is highly prevalent in our country. Estimates suggest that 800,000 people suffer from End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in India today, a number which is expected to balloon to approximately 950,000 by 2015.
Unfortunately, of all the ESRD patients that require dialysis, less than 10 per cent have access to a dialysis facility. Most dialysis facilities in urban India are stretched to their limits and almost 200,000 people die in India each year, because they lack access to renal care. Renkare will be a step forward in serving the large population of existing and new dialysis patients, by providing high quality services, outside the hospital environment and closer to home.