Guwahati, Nov 27: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Indian Oil), the Meghalaya government, and the Fairfax India Charitable Foundation have partnered to install six haemodialysis machines in East Garo Hills and Ri-bhoi districts of Meghalaya under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP).
This initiative aims to improve healthcare accessibility in the Northeast region, particularly addressing the need for affordable and quality dialysis treatment.
The collaboration was formalized through a tripartite agreement signed on November 25 at Hotel Palacio, Khanapara, Guwahati. The agreement was signed by Hitajit Bhattacharyya, CGM (HR) Guwahati Refinery, representing Indian Oil, Dr. Neela Ewon Kharsahnoh, Director of Health Services (MCH & FW), representing the Meghalaya government and Abraham Alapatt, representing the Fairfax India Charitable Foundation.
This initiative underlines the government’s commitment to strengthening health infrastructure in Meghalaya and providing critical care services to its citizens.
The initiative to install six haemodialysis machines under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) is set to make a significant impact in Meghalaya, particularly benefiting patients in districts like East Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi.
This effort aims to address several critical healthcare challenges in the region by reducing Patient Drop-offs: By offering dialysis services closer to home, the initiative aims to minimize logistical barriers that force many patients to discontinue treatment, lowering Mortality Rates: Timely and accessible dialysis can significantly improve survival rates among Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients and creating Employment Opportunities: The installation of new machines will generate job opportunities in the healthcare sector, especially for trained technicians and medical staff.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects an estimated 1.3 million patients in India, who require haemodialysis two to three times weekly. However, the availability of machines nationwide remains critically low, with just 35,000 machines against a requirement exceeding 200,000. The high cost of treatment—approximately ₹2.4 lakh annually—and additional travel and accommodation expenses further strain patients, especially those in rural areas.
Many districts of Meghalaya lack haemodialysis facilities, leaving patients dependent on urban centers as the existing centers are overwhelmed, unable to meet the growing number of CKD cases.
The state’s rugged terrain and remote villages make accessing urban medical centers a logistical and financial burden for families.
This partnership offers a promising solution to bridge the healthcare gap, improve access to life-saving treatment, and enhance the quality of life for patients in the region.
Udit Jain, Chief General Manager (HRD & ER) at Indian Oil, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating: “This partnership exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration in tackling critical healthcare issues. By decentralizing haemodialysis services, we are committed to bringing life-saving care to underserved communities across the region.”
Hitajit Bhattacharyya, Chief General Manager (Human Resource) at Guwahati Refinery, Indian Oil, added: “Our goal is to bridge the healthcare gap in the Northeast. This initiative is a testament to Indian Oil’s dedication to delivering equitable healthcare services, even in the remotest areas. Indian Oil’s contribution of six haemodialysis machines will strengthen efforts to bring essential dialysis services closer to underserved communities and significantly improve health outcomes. This will help local communities in Meghalaya, which previously had no viable options for this life-saving service.”
A senior official of Indian Oil highlighted the company’s dedication to strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure, stating: “Indian Oil has signed tripartite MoUs with state governments and Fairfax Trust to provide 110 haemodialysis machines across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Supporting the ‘Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program’, this initiative aims to make dialysis services more accessible and affordable for underprivileged communities.”
The official further mentioned that Indian Oil has also extended its collaboration to Sikkim and Chhattisgarh, bringing the total contribution to 169 haemodialysis machines across eight states, benefiting approximately 50,000 patients annually.
