KATHMANDU: Nepal Medical College Jorpati, which recently launched free dialysis service, has witnessed unprecedented rise in number of kidney patients of late.

Dialysis unit in-charge Usha Karki said "At least 102 kidney patients have been receiving free dialysis service on regular basis from the hospital."

As many as 38 patients have been receiving dialysis service free of cost on a daily basis from the hospital, Karki shared.

Earlier, Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa had directed the Health Ministry to manage free dialysis service in the country as the patient has to bear a burnt of spending at least Rs 7500 per week before undergoing kidney transplantation.

One time dialysis would cost Rs 2500. The patient requires at least three dialysis services a week before surgery.

Meanwhile, the hospital, which recently acquired 14 dialysis machines from Germany and two machines from Japan, has been providing service in three shifts.