THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Veena George on Thursday that the free peritoneal dialysis system, in which poor patients can have free dialysis at home, has been extended to all the districts. In the first phase, the system has been established by focusing on one major hospital in each district.

Fluids, catheters and accessories required for peritoneal dialysis will be free for patients who register. At first, about a thousand patients will get this service.

About half a lakh patients are undergoing dialysis every month in 102 hospitals and 10 medical colleges across the state. This is hemodialysis which can be done only in hospitals. The patient should arrive at the hospital on alternate days. This difficulty will get resolved with peritoneal dialysis becoming widespread.

Hospitals providing service

Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital, Kollam District Hospital, Pathanamthitta General Hospital, Alappuzha General Hospital, Kottayam General Hospital, Idukki Thodupuzha District Hospital, Ernakulam General Hospital, Thrissur General Hospital, Palakkad District Hospital, Malappuram Tirur District Hospital, Kozhikode General Hospital, Wayanad Mananthavady District Hospital, Kannur District Hospital, Kasaragod General Hospital