Understanding Kidney Dialysis: Care and Services at Al-Hamd Centre

For most of us, the kidneys are silent workers. They filter waste from our blood, balance our fluids, and keep our body’s chemistry in check without us ever thinking about it. But for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Khuiratta and its surrounding villages, the silence is broken by a life-altering diagnosis: Renal Failure. When the kidneys stop working, the body fills with toxins. Without intervention, this is fatal. The only bridge back to life is a medical procedure called Dialysis. At Al-Hamd Kidney Health Welfare Organization, we believe that walking this bridge should not cost a family their life savings. Here is a deeper look at what dialysis is, and how our center provides comprehensive care to those who need it most. What is Dialysis? In simple terms, dialysis is an "artificial kidney." When a patient’s own kidneys can no longer clean their blood, a dialysis machine does the job for them. The Process at Al-Hamd: Access: Two needles are gently inserted into the patient’s arm (fistula). Filtration: Blood is drawn out and passed through a special filter called a dialyzer on our modern machines. Cleaning: The machine removes waste, excess salt, and extra water. Return: Clean, safe blood is returned to the patient’s body. This process takes about 4 hours per session and must be done 3 times a week. It is a grueling schedule, but for our patients, it is the rhythm of survival. The Al-Hamd Standard: More Than Just a Machine In private hospitals, a single dialysis session can cost thousands of rupees. For a daily wager or a widow in Azad Kashmir, this is impossible. At Al-Hamd, we provide 100% Free Dialysis. But "free" does not mean "low quality." We maintain a standard of care that rivals private institutions: Sterilization & Hygiene: Infection control is our top priority. We use high-quality, sterile tubing and dialyzers to ensure patient safety. Medicine Coverage: We don't just run the machine; we provide the essential injections (like EPO for blood levels) and medical supplies required during the process. Comfort: Our center is designed to be a sanctuary where patients can rest with dignity during their 4-hour treatment. Breaking Barriers: The Free Ambulance Service We realized that providing free treatment wasn't enough if the patient couldn't get to the center. Many of our patients are elderly, frail, or live in remote villages where public transport is non-existent. To solve this, Al-Hamd is launching a Free Ambulance Service. Door-to-Door Care: We pick patients up from their homes and drop them back after treatment. Removing Anxiety: Families no longer have to panic about finding a taxi or borrowing a car. Ensuring Continuity: By providing transport, we ensure patients never miss a life-saving session due to logistics. Holistic Health: Specialist Medical Camps Kidney failure is often the result of other untreated conditions like Diabetes and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). To truly serve our community, we must treat the cause, not just the symptom. Al-Hamd acts as a general health hub by organizing Regular Medical Camps. Visiting Experts: We bring specialist doctors (Cardiologists, Diabetologists, General Physicians) directly to the center. Free Screenings: Villagers receive free check-ups and medications. Prevention: By catching diabetes or high blood pressure early in these camps, we can prevent others from needing dialysis in the future. How You Can Help The reality of dialysis is that it is expensive. The machines, the power, the purified water (RO Plant), and the disposable medical kits cost millions annually. Al-Hamd runs entirely on the generosity of donors who believe that health is a human right, not a privilege. Sponsor a Session: Cover the cost of one patient’s treatment. Fuel the Ambulance: Help us keep the wheels turning. Donate Equipment: Contribute to the purchase of new machines or medical supplies. Together, we are not just washing blood; we are restoring hope.