New Delhi, April 10, 2025: In a landmark step toward bridging critical gaps in renal healthcare, Adharshila Trust, in partnership with Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST) and Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), announced the expansion of the Adharshila Renal Care Project (ARCP) to LHMC and its associated hospitals—a significant step forward in strengthening dialysis care across Delhi’s public healthcare infrastructure. Initially launched in May 2024, the project aims to deliver 500,000 free dialysis sessions over five years.
The event was graced by key dignitaries, including Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, MoHFW; Ms. Shweta Rawat, Managing Director of RIST; Prof. (Dr.) Sarita Beri, Director, LHMC & Associated Hospitals; and Mrs. Neena Jolly & Mrs. Geeta Arora Founder Trustees, Adharshila Trust, among other senior healthcare officials and nephrology experts.
According to the report “Dialysis delivery in India: demand, challenges and policy insights” (EY–NATHEALTH, March 2023), India witnesses approximately 2.2 lakh new cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) annually, requiring more than 3.4 crore dialysis sessions. However, the country has approximately 22,500 dialysis machines, meeting less than 25% of the total demand. The report estimates that at least 65 thousand dialysis centres and over 20,000 trained technicians and nephrologists are required to adequately serve the growing patient base. It also highlights that public sector dialysis infrastructure, particularly for paediatric care, remains severely under-resourced.
In Delhi NCR alone, nearly 3,000 new ESRD patients emerge each year. However, dialysis capacity in hospitals can be limited or unaffordable for the vast majority of patients, limiting the duration and frequency of care options available to patients and their families.
Emphasising on the role of public-philanthropic partnerships, Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, commented “Ensuring equitable access to quality dialysis care is a public health priority. Initiatives like the Adharshila Renal Care Project play a valuable role in complementing the government’s efforts to strengthen renal care infrastructure and workforce capacity in public hospitals. We welcome such collaborations that align with national goals and improve service delivery for patients who rely on the public health system.”
To address this critical gap in care, Adharshila Trust and RIST’s strategy for jointly strengthening renal care in Delhi is guided by a three-pronged strategy:
Infrastructure Strengthening: With the addition of 20 dialysis machines and trained technicians at LHMC Department of Medicine, the project will significantly expand the existing dialysis capacity at LHMC and associated hospitals.
Workforce Development: Starting May 2025, the project will roll out a five-year national paediatric nephrologist training program, in collaboration with the Indian Society for Paediatric Nephrologists. This initiative aims to ensure timely and high-quality treatment for children suffering from Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) at state hospitals across India.
Preventive Health Focus: ARCP is also running outreach programs and in-hospital screenings for early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD), 10,000 patients have been screened out of which 3% incidence of CKD cases at various stages have been identified.
Commenting on the project launch, Prof. (Dr.) Sarita Beri, Director, LHMC & Associated Hospitals, stated, “Our hospitals serve a large and diverse patient population, and strengthening dialysis services, both for adults as well as children, is an important step in meeting the needs of those who rely on public healthcare. This initiative complements our ongoing efforts at LHMC and its associated hospitals by expanding access and enabling more specialized care through additional infrastructure and clinical training.”
Since its launch in May 2024, through philanthropic support, the project has already deployed 30 dialysis machines and 11 technicians across Government hospitals in Delhi—Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital and Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital under LHMC—which have together delivered nearly 8,500 dialysis sessions to date. By combining strategic philanthropy with public infrastructure, the initiative models how long-term, systems-level impact can be achieved.
Highlighting the role of philanthropy in healthcare, Shweta Rawat, Managing Director, RIST commented, “As a philanthropic institution, our responsibility is to enable solutions where gaps persist. The multi-pronged nature of our partnership with the Adharshila Renal Care Project is a testament to what can be achieved when resources, intent, and trust converge. We’re proud to invest in efforts that not only provide care but also build resilient public systems that serve those most often left behind.”
“This initiative is deeply personal and deeply needed. Far too many families struggle in silence when faced with kidney disease, be it adults or children. Through this partnership, we are not just delivering machines or sessions – we’re creating access, building capacity, and showing what’s possible when civil society, philanthropy, and the public system come together to serve those who need it most.” says Neena Jolly, Trustee, Adharshila.
She further adds, assuming these machines are utilized at full capacity, we would be strengthening the Delhi nephroscope with 20,000 dialysis sessions per year.
Aligning with World Health Day
Unveiled on World Health Day 2025, the Adharshila Renal Care Project reflects this year’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” through its emphasis on pediatric nephrology and early-stage intervention. Structured as a multi-year public–philanthropic partnership, the initiative aims to strengthen dialysis infrastructure in Delhi’s public hospitals, focusing on the underserved populations including children, who often lack access to timely and affordable renal care.
The project includes the installation of additional dedicated paediatric dialysis machines and the launch of a national paediatric nephrology training program, while also addressing broader treatment access through free dialysis sessions and trained technical staff. By combining philanthropic investment with public healthcare delivery, the initiative offers a replicable model for closing critical gaps in chronic care within the government system.
