VGM Hospital, Coimbatore joined hands with Rotary Club of Coimbatore East to launch VGM Rotary Dialysis Centre, a world-class dialysis centre backed by Rotary's Global Grant and VGM Foundation. 

It is a state of the art dialysis centre with 5 cutting edge dialysis machines and dedicated wards at the 3rd floor of VGM Hospital in Trichy Road. The total project value is $ 59,000, and VGM Foundation sponsored $ 20,000 to it.This centre will now offer dialysis treatment to underprivileged patients in need of critical renal care at an affordable cost. 

Rtn.Chela Raghavendran, District Governor of Rotary International District 3206 did the inauguration in the presence of Dr.VG Mohan Prasad, Chairman, VGM Hospital; Rtn.Rajasekhar, Past District Governor, Rotary International District 3206; Rtn. Vijay Krishnan President, Rotary Club of Coimbatore East and other esteemed guests.

Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad, while welcoming the gathering said that VGM Hospital has had its own dialysis ward for 16 years, and this new center is for the general public.

On a national average, 1 in 10 person in the country have Chronic Kidney Disease, and in that close to 10% may need dialysis. If Coimbatore's metro region has a population of 31 lakh or more, then 3 lakh people may have CKD and 30,000 people among them may need dialysis treatment. 

Since all cannot afford the cost of the treatment, establishments like VGM Rotary Dialysis Centre are crucial for underprivileged patients. The centre will provide dialysis services at a very affordable rate and it can also provide the service under CM scheme.

Dr. Suman, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Director at VGM Hospital shared that although this is a charity centre, they dialysis machines are the latest, and the facilities available in it are of good standards. 

Speaking further, he said that the operational cost involved in offering the dialysis services is greater than the fee that is set for it. For every dialysis, 200 litres of RO water, 4 units of Electricity, 2 technicians, 4 nurses, a Nephrologist will have to come together.

In spite of all the charges, they have fixed the fee between Rs.1000 and Rs.1200. If more donors and Rotary Clubs volunteer to support this intiative, the costs can be further reduced, he said.

Dr.Mithra Prasad, Director of Liver Transplant at VGM Hospital shared that they have a program called Gift a Dialysis, under which people who celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries or other important occasions in life can sponsor a dialysis treatment for a patient (Rs.1000-1200). This can be a nice way of society coming together to help those in need.