IMS‑BHU rolls out the 7th Paediatric Dialysis & Apheresis Training Module across India

On a bright Saturday morning at Sir Sunderlal Hospital in Varanasi, the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) at Banaras Hindu University unveiled the seventh edition of its Paediatric Dialysis & Therapeutic Apheresis Module for Emergency – lovingly shortened to PD‑TAME. The gathering, held in the hospital’s Doctors’ Lounge, was a colourful mix of paediatricians, nephrologists and critical‑care specialists who had travelled from all corners of the country.

Behind the scenes, the programme is a collaborative effort between the Adharshila Renal Care Project and the Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST). Their shared vision? To stitch together a pan‑India network of first‑responders who can spot, and swiftly manage, renal emergencies in children – a need that has grown ever more urgent as the nation grapples with a shortage of paediatric nephrologists.

Speaking first, Vice‑Chancellor Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi reminded everyone that a child’s life can often be saved with a basic dialysis set‑up and a doctor who knows what to do. “We must nurture empathy, stay calm under pressure, and spread this knowledge like a ripple across medical colleges,” he urged, hinting at a cascading model where trained doctors go on to train others.

Director of IMS, Prof S. N. Sankhwar echoed that sentiment, pointing out how few specialists there are in paediatric kidney care. He highlighted the hands‑on nature of PD‑TAME – from simulated peritoneal dialysis drills to live case discussions – as a way to bridge that gap and boost confidence among young clinicians.

Medical Superintendent Prof Puneet, who oversees Sir Sunderlal Hospital, added a practical note: kidney injury in children is more common than many realise, and mastering both peritoneal and hemodialysis techniques can dramatically improve outcomes at tertiary centres. He hopes similar workshops will sprout in other medical schools, widening the safety net for tiny patients.

The curriculum was curated by a seasoned team led by Prof O. P. Misra, Emeritus Professor at the Heritage Institute of Medical Sciences, and Prof Abhijeet Saha of Lady Hardinge Medical College, who both stressed that every postgraduate paediatrician should at least know the basics of hemodialysis and therapeutic apheresis – essentially, life‑saving tools for critically ill kids.

Neena Jolly, trustee of the Adharshila Renal Care Project, reminded the audience that early detection is everything. “What we miss in the first hours can blossom into a complex, sometimes irreversible problem later. The first healthcare provider really does make all the difference,” she said, underscoring the importance of training frontline staff to recognise warning signs and act promptly.

Participants left with a packed schedule of practical sessions – from acute peritoneal dialysis and haemodiafiltration to point‑of‑care ultrasonography and vascular access techniques. The atmosphere was lively, with occasional laughter and the occasional “wait, can you run that again?” – a sign that real learning was happening.

As the day drew to a close, the hope was clear: equip more doctors, reach more children, and cut down the need for desperate referrals to far‑off metropolitan hospitals. If today’s training is any indication, the ripple effect could soon turn into a wave of better paediatric kidney care across India.