The dialysis centre at Kolathur
| Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
16 and countingIt was after a stint in Canada that nephrologist Georgi Abraham decided to start a dialysis centre at Chennai in the mid-2000s.The Tanker Foundation Dialysis Centre started in a humble way at Georgi Abraham’s father-in-law’s house on Poonamalee High Road as it was lying vacant.As the number of patients seeking dialysis began to shoot up, the Foundation sought a space at Rotary Ambattur Hospital where it got started on the initiative with five machines. Today, the upgraded hospital has 26 machines with 127 patients seeking dialysis under its care.In the last two decades, this initiative to provide dialysis for patients twice or thrice a week has grown to serve people from various parts of Chennai and beyond. Dialysis is offered either free or at a subsidised rate of ₹ 375 to patients, says a note on its website.Of the 16 centres run in Tamil Nadu by Tanker Foundation, 11 are in Chennai. “A majority of the patients are enrolled under the Chief Minister Scheme and if expenses beyond that need to be covered we find donors,” says Dr. Georgi Abraham, founder-president of the Tanker Foundation.The patients have the choice of opting for a centre that is closest to their home. “A patient whose kidney function is between 6 and 8 percent is eligible for dialysis, but we are particular that certain criteria are met including the financial background of the person and dialysis in an OP setting for free treatment,” says Dr. Georgi.With rising number of kidney-related ailments, the Foundation sees a huge demand for this from of service. People who require early detection are those with high BP, history of diabetes, complaints of heart disease and a previous history of kidney disease.For details about its various centres, visit https://tankerfoundation.orgGCC-run centresGreater Chennai Corporation runs dialysis centres in a majority of its zones. As per data put up on X, Zone IX has the maximum number of dialysis machines, 22. The unit functions from Vallorkottam Diagnostic Centre in Nungambakkam. Others are in Thiruvottiyur UCHC, Lakshmipuram in Retteri UPHC, Elango Nagar UPHC, Padi Ambattir UCHC, Chinna Porur in Valsarvakkam UCHC; Perungudi, Injambakkam and Semmacherry UCHC;These centres are operated with the support of NGOs and organisations. Dialysis treatment is offered free-of-cost at these centres.Care at ₹ 600Since Chennai Lions Dialysis Foundation started in Thiruvanmiyur in 2011, one thing that has stayed constant is its affordable pricing. In all these 15 years, the Foundation charges ₹ 600 per sitting from those seeking dialysis.Started as a pet project of Lion R. Ravichandran, Past District Governor, the Foundation offers dialysis treatment for close to 250 people a month at its six-bed dialysis centre.The cost of a single haemodialysis session ranges from ₹1800 to ₹ 3,500 in city hospitals. “Since patients need to undergo dialysis sessions two to three times a week, the monthly cost of treatment can run into several thousand rupees. We started this service to alleviate some of the hardships faced by dialysis patients and their families,” says Ravichandran.The remaining costs are covered by the Foundation. “Although we do face shortage of funds we have somehow been able to sustain this service with the support of donors,” he says.Nephrologist R. Vijay Kumar is the consultant guiding the Foundation.Chennai Lions Dialysis Foundation is at No 28A, South Mada Street, Thiruvanmiyur, near Marundeeswarar Temple.For details, call Ravichandran at 98410 51480/ Kalyani Ngarajan at 9841115984. Published - August 24, 2026 11:22 am IST
