Scientists at the CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, have developed two indigenous technologies that can significantly reduce the cost of dialysis treatment in India, potentially benefiting around 20,000 patients already covered in pilot projects.
The breakthrough focuses on making dialysis more affordable by replacing expensive imported components and improving water purification systems used in treatment.
What the scientists developed
The innovation includes two key technologies:
Low-cost haemodialyser filters
Made using ultra-thin hollow fibre membranes.
These act as the “artificial kidney” in dialysis machines by filtering waste from blood.
Locally produced filters cost about ₹150–₹200, compared to imported ones priced around ₹700–₹1000.
This alone can reduce consumable costs by up to 70%.
Advanced water purification system
Uses reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes to produce ultra-pure water required for dialysis.
Ensures safe water free from contaminants and reduces infection risks.
Also saves around 25% in electricity and water usage compared to conventional systems.
Impact of the technology
The combined innovations make dialysis significantly cheaper and more accessible.
Pilot installations in places like Kamareddy and Marredpally have already supported treatment for over 20,000 patients.
The technology is expected to reduce India’s dependence on imported dialysis equipment.
It can especially help rural and semi-urban healthcare centres where affordability is a major challenge.
Why this matters
Dialysis is a life-saving but expensive treatment for patients with kidney failure. In India, thousands of new patients require regular dialysis every year, putting pressure on healthcare infrastructure. By reducing equipment and consumable costs, the IICT innovation could make treatment more widely available and affordable.
Next step
The technologies have already been piloted successfully and are now being transferred to private healthcare providers for wider deployment.