14 Jan 2025 | Updated 16 Jan 2025
Khalsa Aid opened its very first dialysis centre to the public in January 2023, and has gone on to open a diagnostic centre in August 2024. The organisation has since expanded its operations diligently and anticipates the opening of more healthcare centres in the new year.
Since the early 2010s, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognised as a major medical problem worldwide, leading . In India specifically, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study revealed chronic kidney disease as the eighth leading cause of death. In 2017, India leads globally in deaths resulted by CKD with a total of 115 million cases.
This is a prevalent issue that was brought to Khalsa Aid International’s attention very quickly. Throughout its 25-year lifespan, donors and supporters of Khalsa Aid have funded affordable and necessary procedures in India, and various patients on ground appealed for something greater. The healthcare provided, in the Gurdaspur district in particular, was impactful, however Khalsa Aid was resolute in delivering more robust aid to patients in the region.
Finding its home in a private local practice, and procuring equipment from local hospitals, Khalsa Aid opened a first-of-its-kind kidney dialysis centre in Fatehgarh Churi, in the Gurdaspur district of Panjab, additionally reaching the Amritsar district. After three months of unwavering dedication towards the set-up of the institute, the Bibi Kaulan Ji Hospital in Panjab promises dialysis at an affordable cost, and covers over 200 dialysis treatments a month.
Khalsa Aid strides to bring dignity to essential healthcare. The average cost for dialysis treatment in India runs up and into the thousands. What was once unattainable and expensive is now found in an accessible location at the affordable price of 500 rupees. In the two years since its opening, the dialysis centre has delivered over 4,200 dialysis procedures and has directly benefited over 160 patients across Panjab.
"Our foremost aim with healthcare is always dignity. We envision a bright future where healthcare is a fundamental right, regardless of who you are and where you come from."
Khalsa Aid proceeded to co-manage healthcare centre in August 2024. The Guru Nanaki Mission Hospital currently provides dentalcare, comprehensive physiotherapy, blood and urine tests, essential CD scans and x-rays, and much more at a low cost. For the upcoming year, Khalsa Aid has plans to establish outdoor healthcare operations at a nominal registration fee.
Dialysis treatment is a topic that is near and dear to us, and especially to our founder and CEO Ravi Singh as a kidney recipient. In a stronger bid for organ donation and funding towards vital procedures and centres, Khalsa Aid requests your kindness and consideration in raising awareness for an overlooked issue and its victims in India, and to continue supporting the charity with your donations.