Thousands of kidney disease patients across South Punjab are facing a worsening healthcare crisis due to a severe shortage of dialysis machines and inadequate medical facilities. Patients from Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Jatoi, Alipur, and surrounding areas are struggling to receive timely dialysis, forcing many to shuttle between public hospitals or seek costly treatment at private healthcare facilities.
Limited machines and growing patient numbers
According to sources, the limited number of dialysis machines in government hospitals, coupled with the growing number of patients, has left many unable to receive treatment on schedule. Meanwhile, the high cost of dialysis at private centers remains beyond the financial reach of low- and middle-income families. Families of patients say they are enduring immense financial, physical, and emotional hardship while searching for life-saving treatment.
Life-threatening consequences of delayed dialysis
Medical experts warn that any delay in scheduled dialysis can have life-threatening consequences for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease, underscoring the urgent need to expand dialysis services. Patients, their families, and members of civil society have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the situation by increasing the number of dialysis machines, deploying specialized medical staff, and upgrading dialysis facilities in public hospitals across South Punjab to ensure timely and quality treatment for kidney patients.
Appeal for government intervention
The appeal comes as part of a broader call for improved healthcare infrastructure in the region. The government has recently approved a Rs570 million grant for small industrial estate infrastructure restoration, but kidney patients hope that similar attention will be given to the dialysis crisis.
