Nephro Care India Develops AI-Enabled Haemodialysis Machine to Boost Accessibility in Rural India

The AI-enabled device, which allows for remote monitoring, could significantly lower the price of dialysis machines, potentially increasing access for patients in underserved areas. 

Nephro Care India has developed a new AI-powered haemodialysis machine prototype aimed at making renal care more affordable across India. 

The AI-enabled device, which allows for remote monitoring, could significantly lower the price of dialysis machines, potentially increasing access for patients in underserved areas. 

The prototype, supported by a grant from the Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology in West Bengal, is being developed in partnership with the National Institute of Technology, Silchar.

Cost-Effective Solution for Renal Care

With the current haemodialysis machines priced between INR 7.5 and 8 Lakhs, the new prototype targets a reduction of 70-75% in the machine cost. Once completed, the AI-enabled machine is expected to be priced at approximately INR 2 Lakh. 

Dr Pratim Sengupta, Founder, MD, and CEO of Nephro Care India, explained the project's potential impact on patient affordability, stating, “Currently, a majority of haemodialysis machines in India are imported, leading to significantly higher costs. Indigenous manufacturing of these machines can reduce costs, thereby lowering the treatment expenses for patients suffering from advanced renal failure.”

Haemodialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for individuals with advanced kidney disease, filtering waste and fluids from the bloodstream. 

The machine under development will integrate remote monitoring features, which would make dialysis more accessible to patients in semi-urban and rural locations where healthcare facilities are often limited.

Aiming for Wider Reach with AI-Enabled Monitoring

The AI-driven monitoring system allows healthcare providers to remotely track the treatment and health status of patients, potentially reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for regular dialysis sessions. 

Dr Sengupta emphasized the significance of this advancement, stating, “Being AI-enabled smart machines, these can be remotely monitored, allowing healthcare specialists to keep a close tab on the health of their patients without requiring them to travel long distances. This will make renal care more accessible in the remotest corners of the country.”

Growing Demand for Dialysis in India

The need for haemodialysis in India is pressing, with approximately 220,000 new patients developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) every year, creating an estimated demand for 34 million dialysis sessions annually. 

According to a report by EY and the Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) from March 2023, around 94% of dialysis patients in the country rely on haemodialysis. 

However, a shortage of machines and facilities persists, with India currently equipped with about 40,000 machines while the need stands at nearly 103,500 machines.

The report also highlights the disparity in healthcare access, with approximately 90% of dialysis centers located in urban areas. 

As a result, over 60% of dialysis patients travel around 50 kms for treatment, while nearly 25% live more than 100 kms away from the nearest facility. NCIL’s AI-enabled machine aims to address this gap by providing a more cost-effective and accessible solution, especially for rural and semi-urban areas.

Founded in 2014, Nephro Care India has been active in advancing renal healthcare, recently launching Vivacity Multispecialty Hospital, a 100-bed facility in Madhyamgram, Kolkata, with a INR  36.51 Cr investment.