Every year, nearly 2 lakh Indians are diagnosed with kidney failure, a condition that demands lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant. Yet, for half of these patients, even basic access to dialysis remains a challenge. The gap in treatment is not just a statistic—it’s a life-or-death crisis for thousands.
In India, where 3.4 crore dialysis sessions are required annually, only half are actually conducted. The reasons? High costs, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of accessibility, especially in rural areas where patients must travel over 100 km just to reach a dialysis center. This burden is financial, emotional, and, in many cases, fatal.
But amidst this crisis, a beacon of hope shines—The Renal Project, founded by Shashank Moddhia. This Mumbai-based healthcare startup is on a mission to make lifesaving hemodialysis affordable and accessible, particularly for those in underserved communities.
Breaking Barriers with Innovation
Traditional dialysis centers are expensive and infrastructure-heavy, often housed in large hospitals with high operational costs. The Renal Project has rewritten the rules by setting up small, compact dialysis units in local hospitals and clinics, each with just 3 to 6 beds.
By renting equipment instead of purchasing, and cutting unnecessary overhead costs, the startup has managed to slash the price of dialysis to just Rs 725 per session—a 40% reduction compared to conventional rates.
For many patients, this price difference means the ability to afford treatment without having to sell assets, borrow money, or compromise on other basic needs.
Saving Lives, One Dialysis Session at a Time
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Mumbai’s Ashwin Kadam faced a dire crisis. With strict restrictions in place, many dialysis patients were left stranded, unsure of where to go for treatment. But The Renal Project ensured he never missed a single session, proving that accessible healthcare is not a luxury—it’s a right.
Today, over 150 patients are benefiting from The Renal Project’s network. But they’re not stopping there. With a vision to expand to 1,000 centers, the startup aims to serve 10,000 patients daily, revolutionizing kidney care across the country.
A Call for Change
Healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy or the urban elite. Every kidney failure patient, regardless of location or financial status, deserves access to affordable and timely treatment.
The Renal Project is proving that innovation and compassion can drive real change. But for this transformation to reach every corner of India, more support, awareness, and policy action are needed.
As individuals, communities, and policymakers, we must rally behind such initiatives. Because when it comes to healthcare, affordability and accessibility should never be a dream—they should be a reality.
