Global Nephrology: Nocturnal Dialysis in India

While many western countries are still struggling to figure out whether frequent daily dialysis or nocturnal dialysis or even quotidian dialysis can emerge as a viable therapy, centers around the world are starting to do nocturnal dialysis. But, globally nocturnal dialysis is not what we think of in either North America or Europe. It is simply dialysis at night administered slowly and for several hours each time, and not frequent or daily nocturnal dialysis.

There are several news reports of centers offering nocturnal dialysis in India but there is little data on how prevalent the practice is, how many centers are doing nocturnal dialysis and the numbers of patient’s receiving nocturnal dialysis. Still, the fact that countries around the world appreciate the potential benefits for patients and have ramped up to offer it is encouraging.

Take the example of Nephroplus a for-profit dialysis chain in India.

Dr Krishna a medical director of Nephroplus is quoted in the article:  “Nocturnal dialysis helps reduce stress level among patients. It is popular among corporate executives and young kidney patients, who have hectic professional life. It is a slow, gentle and lengthy process compared to normal hemodialysis as it purifies the blood better.”


Other centers, like the dialysis unit at Vadamalayan Hospitals in Madurai featured in a recent news report is also embarking on night-time dialysis.

The bottom-line is that nocturnal dialysis in India serves “the haves” - the middle class who can afford night-time dialysis, but it represents another example of the inequity in health care that is rampant in India.


(correction posted June 23, 2012)