Prevalence of peritoneal dialysis

Although deemed revolutionary in a pandemic-struck world, peritoneal dialysis (PD) is yet to gain as much traction as it deserves

- ASEEM GARG

Deemed revolutionary in a pandemic-struck world, peritoneal dialysis (PD) has cemented itself as the optimum alternative to hemodialysis. The otherwise cost-efficient alternative to the tedious procedure that hemodialysis entails has yet to gain as much traction as it deserves. However, that trajectory flipped overnight when the pandemic struck, and quarantine became an addition to the plethora of hindrances for many dialysis-seeking patients. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, states that under Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program, 2.2 lakh new patients have been added annually in India.

This amounts to 20 crore CKD patients, increasing the yearly dialysis demand of 3.4 crore. A rapid increase in the need for dialysis due to added patients accounts for adopting a more straightforward and feasible treatment option, hence, PD. A few reasons behind the finite growth of PD-despite being available in the country for over two decades-can be economic factors, inadequate government policies, nephrologist bias, and lack of adequate pre-dialysis care. Despite the high number of patients initiating therapy, many early dropout cases have been observed. Early dropouts become even more alarming, considering the impact of COVID-19.

The challenges involved