Affordable Dialysis at a Rotary Hospital

The Rotary Central Margaret Sidney Hospital (RCMSH) epitomises Rotary’s motto of Service above Self, says PRID P T Prabhakar. With the addition of a new dialysis centre, set up at a cost of Rs 38 lakh, the hospital run by RC Madras Central, D 3230, since 1982, has reached another milestone in providing subsidised healthcare to people, with services to the poor being free. With four dialysis units and support equipment, the new facility was donated by V R Chari, vice-chairman, GH Induction India. The hospital charges Rs 1,100 for a dialysis session, against over Rs 2,500 in private hospitals. Recalling his association with the hospital since the club took charge of it, Prabhakar said, “This hospital, along with the VHS blood bank, are two signature humanitarian projects run by the club and great examples of Rotary Serving Humanity.” What began as a small dispensary on a 100 sq ft area in the 1970s has now become a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital.

This hospital, along with the VHS blood bank, are great examples of Rotary Serving Humanity.
— PRID P T Prabhakar

DG Natarajan Nagoji commended the “tremendous job” done by the club over the years to upgrade its multi-specialty services and patient care. “Dialysis is a continuous process and the new facility will be of great help to the poor.” Prabhakar invited V R Chari and his son R V Chari to join Rotary to extend their philanthropy to a larger society.

Subsidised healthcare

The 25-bed hospital extends free services to 6,000 people out of 40,000 out-patients it receives annually, said Rtn Vijay Chordia, Hospital Chairman.

Renovated at a cost of Rs 1 crore, the hospital is run on donations.

Picture by V Muthukumaran