Almost 2.5 lakh people die of kidney failure in India every year. It is the third largest killer after malignancy and heart disease. Millions suffer from some form of kidney disease and many of them, particularly in India cannot afford the cost of treatment or care. Around 14440 people get kidney failure every year in Tamilnadu alone, and only 10% have access to treatment.
TANKER (Tamilnad Kidney Research) Foundation is a registered non-profit charitable organisation started in June 1993 with the aim of helping under-privileged patients with kidney disease. TANKER has provided 245,855 free and subsidized dialysis for 1277 patients. We have also given financial support of Rs. 151 Lakhs to 2938 patients as one-time contributions ranging from Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 50,000/- for transplantation, medication, investigation and fistula surgery costs.
Our six subsidized dialysis units have a total of 76 Dialysis Stations situated in Ambattur Rotary Hospital, Chennai, TVS Hospital, Chokkikulam, Madurai, RVS College of Nursing, Kannampalayam, Coimbatore, Corporation P.H.C, Nungambakkam along with RCME Chennai, in Thiruverkadu with RCMW Chennai and in Vellore with RCVF. We do 3558 dialyses per month, of which 2843 are free of cost with valuable help from the Chief Ministers Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) and other donors. Along with helping our patients, spreading the word about kidney disease is equally important to TANKER. We do awareness programmes and screening camps for kidney disease.
TANKER is grateful to the following donors who have come forward to donate dialysis machines.
1. M/s. Dr. K. C. G Verghese Charitable Foundation – established in memory of the late educationist and philanthrophist Dr K C G Verghese. The three guiding principles … CARE, CONCERN, COMPASSION … symbolize Dr K C G Verghese and this trust has been established by the family of Dr K C G Verghese and Hindustan Group of Institutions to assist the needy and the deserving.
2. M/s. Natesan Synchrocones Pvt Ltd– a leading auto and aerospace component supplier.
3. M/s. Disha Charitable Trust managed by the employees of Franklin Templeton.
4. Ms. Rajam Subramaniam- a philanthropist who has been giving generous support to TANKER over the years.
5. M/s. Tamilnad Mercantile Bank – a regular TANKER supporter.
The Machines were inaugurated by Dr.Susan Marthandan of KCG Verghese Charitable Foundation,Mrs.Rajam Subramaniam,Mr.Shankaran of Natesan Group and Mr.Venkat of Franklin Templeton.They also spoke at the function conveying their appreciation for TANKER and their continued support to all TANKER activities.The Rotary Club of Guindy also gave a donation on the occasion. Dr.Georgi Abraham ,Founder Trustee,TANKER welcomed the gathering and Mrs. Latha Kumaraswami,Managing Trustee,TANKER Foundation gave an update about TANKER. She said that it was TANKER’S 25th birthday on 30th June and that they were grateful to all the staff,donors,enablers,Corporates,Lions,Rotary,Round Table and many more and the media for their unstinting support from inception. Mr.S V Venkatesan,Trustee Tanker Foundation gave the vote of thanks.
These machines will serve more underprivileged people who need to have long term maintenance dialysis.
