In a pioneering move, Nephro Care India Limited (NCIL) is developing a prototype remotely monitored artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smart haemodialysis machine to make renal care more 'accessible and affordable' to masses.

The company, which has received a grant from the Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology, West Bengal, is collaborating with the National Institute of Technology, Silchar to develop the prototype. Once ready, it is likely to bring down the cost of these machines by nearly 70-75 per cent to Rs 2 lakh from the current Rs 7.5-8 lakh.

According to Dr Pratim Sengupta, Founder and MD & CEO, Nephro Care India, currently a majority of the haemodialysis machines in India are imported and hence the cost is significantly higher. Indigenous manufacturing of these machines can bring down cost thereby translating into lower cost of treatment for patients suffering from advanced renal failure.

Haemodialysis machine filters wastes, salts and fluids from the blood of a person whose kidneys are not healthy enough to do this work efficiently.  The prototype, which is being developed, will enable distant monitoring of these machines thereby making dialysis more accessible and affordable in the semi-urban and rural locations.

NCIL, which successful completed its initial public offering (IPO) earlier this year, recently inaugurated a 100-bedded multispecialty hospital - Vivacity Multispecialty Hospital at Madhyamgram in Kolkata at an estimated investment of Rs 36.51 crore. Founded in the year 2014 by one of the leading nephrologists in India, Dr Pratim Sengupta, the institution provides comprehensive medical services for renal patients.