Why in news?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced in July 2025 that the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) now covers 751 districts across all 36 states and union territories with more than 1,700 functioning dialysis centres. This expansion aims to provide free or subsidised renal care to economically disadvantaged patients suffering from end‑stage renal disease.
What is the programme?
Launched in April 2016 under the National Health Mission, the PMNDP seeks to make dialysis services accessible and affordable for patients who need lifelong treatment. It operates through a mix of public–private partnerships, in‑house models and hybrid arrangements, with oversight from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Key features
- Comprehensive reach: The programme is functional in all states and union territories, bringing dialysis services to district hospitals and community health centres, including in tribal and remote areas.
- Types of dialysis: Both haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis services are offered, ensuring that patients have options based on medical advice and availability.
- Information‑technology backbone: A PMNDP portal launched in May 2022 integrates data from dialysis centres nationwide, allowing patients to schedule sessions and facilitating portability under the “One Nation – One Dialysis” concept.
- Digital health integration: Each patient is assigned a 14‑digit Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), enabling linkage of medical records and improving interoperability with other health schemes.
Why it is important
Kidney disease is a growing public‑health challenge in India, and dialysis is expensive and often inaccessible to poor households. By expanding services to every district, the PMNDP reduces out‑of‑pocket expenditure, strengthens renal‑care infrastructure and helps patients maintain livelihoods. Integrating the programme with digital health initiatives improves transparency, data availability and continuity of care.