Free Dialysis & Up to ₹15 Lakh Aid, How to PMNDP Get Financial Help for Kidney Patients in India
Kidney diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are on the rise in India, causing physical, emotional and financial stress on patients and their families. Treatment for kidney diseases – from dialysis to kidney transplant – can be very expensive, especially for low-income families. The cost of dialysis can reach ₹4,000-₹6,000 per session, and transplant costs can range between ₹3,00,000 to ₹7,00,000.
However, PMNDP Financial Help for Kidney Patients in India is available through various government schemes, NGOs, charities and crowdfunding platforms to help ease this burden. This article outlines the support available for kidney patients in India, estimated assistance amount and eligibility criteria.
Government Schemes and Support for Kidney Patients
1. Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) – Umbrella Scheme
- Administered by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Purpose: Financial assistance to patients living below the poverty line suffering from major life-threatening diseases including kidney diseases.
- Assistance: Up to ₹15,00,000 for treatment at government hospitals.
- Eligibility: Must hold a BPL card or valid income proof.
2. Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant (HMDG)
- Purpose: Provides one-time financial aid for medical treatment, including kidney disease.
- Assistance: Up to ₹1,25,000 per patient.
- Eligibility:
- Income below ₹1,25,000 per annum.
- Treatment must be at a government hospital.
- Requires a recommendation letter from a local MP or MLA.
3. Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP)
- Launched: 2016 under National Health Mission
- Services Covered: Free hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for BPL patients at district hospitals.
- Coverage: Over 640 districts in India; provided through public-private partnerships.
- Objective: Improve access to affordable dialysis services for rural and economically weaker populations.
4. Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana)
- Coverage: ₹5,00,000 annual insurance per family for secondary and tertiary healthcare, including dialysis and transplant.
- Eligibility: SECC data-based (no need to apply); automatically available for eligible beneficiaries.
- Benefits:
- Cashless hospitalization.
- Coverage in empaneled public and private hospitals.
5. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
- Objective: Makes quality generic medicines affordable to all, reducing costs for long-term care.
- Impact for Kidney Patients:
- Access to affordable immunosuppressants (essential post-transplant).
- Reduced burden on household health expenses.
6. Chief Minister Relief Funds (State-Level)
- States Covered: Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala, Delhi, and others.
- Assistance: Ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹5,00,000.
- Application: Via state government health departments with doctor’s recommendation and income proof.
More Financial Help Institutes
1. Crowdfunding Platforms
- Platforms: Ketto, Milaap, ImpactGuru
- Purpose: Raise funds online from the public for treatment costs including:
- Dialysis
- Kidney transplant
- Post-surgery care
- Amount Raised: Patients have raised ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh depending on reach and story impact.
2. NGOs and Charitable Trusts
• Bhagwan Mahavir Relief Fund Trust
- Support: Financial help for underprivileged kidney patients.
- Includes: Dialysis funding, medication support, and emergency grants.
• Aashayein Kidney Foundation
- Services:
- Financial assistance
- Kidney health awareness programs
- Dialysis center collaborations for subsidized services
• Kidney Warriors Foundation
- Support Offered:
- Advocacy
- Counselling and psychological support
- Financial and medical navigation guidance
3. Government & Private Dialysis Centers
- Many government and private hospitals offer concession-based or free dialysis for eligible patients.
- Some hospitals have corporate CSR programs or donor-funded dialysis centers, reducing or waiving costs.
- Examples:
- Mohalla Clinics in Delhi (free consultation and diagnostics)
- Charitable hospitals in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad
Documents Required for Financial Assistance
To access these schemes, patients may need the following documents:
- Aadhaar card
- Income certificate/BPL card
- Doctor’s prescription and diagnosis
- Hospital admission proof
- Bank account details (for direct benefit transfer)
- Scheme-specific application forms
- MP/MLA recommendation (for some schemes)
Summary of Estimated Financial Help for Kidney Patients in India
| Scheme/Source | Type of Support | Amount/Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) | Government grant for poor patients | Up to ₹15,00,000 |
| Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant | One-time financial aid | Up to ₹1,25,000 |
| Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY | Health insurance cover | Up to ₹5,00,000 per family/year |
| PMNDP | Free dialysis for low-income patients | ₹2,000–₹6,000/session (free) |
| PMBJP | Affordable generic medications | Savings up to 80% on some drugs |
| Chief Minister Relief Funds | State-level financial aid | ₹50,000 – ₹5,00,000 |
| NGOs (Kidney Warriors, Aashayein, etc.) | Grants, subsidies, awareness | ₹10,000 – ₹1,00,000 (varies) |
| Crowdfunding (Ketto, Milaap, etc.) | Online fundraising | ₹50,000 – ₹10,00,000+ |
Conclusion
Kidney disease treatment can be financially and emotionally exhausting, but patients in India are not alone. Government-backed healthcare schemes, NGO support, and crowdfunding platforms offer extensive help to those in need. Proactively gathering the required documents and reaching out to hospitals, authorities, or charitable organizations can open up a lifeline of support.
If you or someone you know is facing kidney-related financial challenges, use this guide as a starting point to explore these life-saving options.