The first ever dialysis machine unit under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) was started on December 27 at SNM Hospital.
Gyal P. Wangyal, Deputy Chairman inaugurated the five bedded Dialysis Unit in the SNM Hospital.
 
He said, “I would like to dedicate the ward to the indigent patients of Ladakh. The dialysis machine was very much necessary in the district as people have to travel to other cities for dialysis treatment bearing a huge sum of money for traveling and treatment”.

He appreciated Chering Dorjey, Former Minister for his endless support in setting up the dialysis unit in Ladakh, doctors and paramedic staff headed by Dr. Tsering Samphel, Medical Superintendent, SNM Hospital Leh for their tremendous contribution and also the engineers of Construction Division Leh headed by Nisar Hussain, Xen. Construction for making it functional in the shortest feasible time. 
 
Dr. Tashi Thinles, Senior Physician said, “The absence of a dialysis machine in the SNM hospital compels many patients to go outside the state for dialysis treatment bearing huge expenditure.  A patient suffering from both the kidney failures have to take the dialysis for a lifetime. Dialysis is highly expensive costing ₹ 3000 minimum.  But now it has been set up in Leh, the charges are ₹ 950 and free of cost for the BPL beneficiaries.”

Tsering Samphel, Supervisor Pharmacist, In charge Dialysis ward informed that 6 people including 1 physician, 1 medical officer, 2 nurses, 1 pharmacist, and 1 laboratory technician were trained for six-month in dialysis from Medical College, Srinagar.

He said that in the coming days all those patients who are suffering from Chronic Kidney diseases (CKD) and are residing outside for dialysis can be moved back in Leh and easily get their dialysis done.

Tsering Tundup a kidney patient attendant said, “It has become very easy for the patient in need of dialysis. We can do the treatment here in Leh without having to travel outside and spending so much.  My mother-in-law is going through the dialysis treatment for the second time in SNM Hospital and is showing improvement.”

Others present on the occasion were Rinchen Lhamo, Nominated Councillor,  Xen. Construction, doctors, paramedic staff and Councillors from Temisgam, Upper Leh, Phyang, Igoo, Khaltsi, Diskit, Sku-Markha, and  Chushul.