Financial assistance for economically weak patients who need life-time dialysis support

Why this project:

The economically weak dialysis patients face an uphill task to maintain their lives. Meet Ramesh, a 52-year-old man from Tamilnadu. There was no dialysis facility close to his home in a remote place, leaving him with no choice but to sell his house for Rs.8 lakhs. Determined to survive and receive the life-saving treatment he needed; his family made the decision to relocate to Hosakota near Bangalore.

Since December 2022, he has been undergoing dialysis due to the failure of both his kidneys. The financial burden on Ramesh is immense, as he spends nearly Rs.25k every month on dialysis treatments alone. Additionally, he incurs expenses for medications, travel to the dialysis center, rent, and other basic necessities.

Despite the challenges he faces, Ramesh has shown incredible resilience and determination. He has managed to support his two sons' education and cover his hospital expenses thus far. However, the future remains uncertain, as the absence of a steady income coupled with the recurring high expenses pose an ongoing challenge for him.

We invite you to be a part of Ramesh's journey by supporting Project Dayal—an initiative aimed at providing financial assistance and improved access to dialysis treatments for individuals like Ramesh. Your contribution will make a meaningful impact, helping Ramesh and others in similar situations receive the life-saving care they desperately need.

As many like Ramesh are unable to work, the income depletes slowly but surely. Close relatives also face challenges in their work as they may have to accompany the patients. A study report on the topic says “77% patients engaged in distress financing. Nine of 10 households with a family member on maintenance hemodialysis spend more than 40% of their nonfood expenditure to support their therapy; one-half of them spend more than 80% of this sum.”

What this project would do:

The main objective is to provide financial assistance to poor dialysis patients who are unable to afford the high cost of dialysis sessions.

The Process

• Identification of eligible patients: Collaborating with hospitals and dialysis centers that provide subsidized dialysis, to identify patients with no insurance and in need of financial assistance while respecting their hospital preferences.
• Assessment of financial need: The project team will assess the financial need of eligible patients to determine the justified grant amount for each individual.
• Grant disbursement to hospitals: Once the financial assessments are complete, OSF will disburse the grant amount (Rs.800-1000 per dialysis) to respective hospitals, covering the intended cost of dialysis sessions or consumables for eligible patients.
• Discounted or null billing: Hospitals will provide suitable billing to patients during dialysis, ensuring discounted or free sessions based on the case.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Monitor the progress, hospital-level disbursements, and evaluate its impact on patients. Regular feedback from patients and hospitals will ensure smooth project implementation.

The Impact

Financial relief: A grant provides much-needed financial relief to poor patients, alleviating their burden and ensuring access to dialysis sessions.

Improved healthcare access: Through this project, poor patients can now access essential healthcare services, enhancing their overall quality of life.

Ensuring uninterrupted treatment: With your support, dialysis sessions will no longer be skipped due to financial constraints, ensuring patients receive the critical care they need.

With proper planning and execution, this project will have a significant impact on the lives of poor dialysis patients and contribute to the larger goal of improving access to healthcare for all.