New Delhi: While March provided a global platform to highlight kidney health and the critical metrics of patient survival, the dialogue surrounding renal care does not conclude with the turning of a calendar page. At Vantive India, we believe that awareness is a continuous mission.
As we move into April, our focus evolves from the necessity of survival to the essentiality of Quality of Life (QoL). We strive to make innovation an enduring part of living fully, rather than just a tool for managing life. Vikas Taneja, Country Head, Vantive (the vital organ therapy company), believes that as we continue this month-long dialogue, we must remain anchored to a single priority: expanding access to sustainable renal therapies—the foundation for improving outcomes for millions living with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in India.
Living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents significant challenges, fortunately advancements in home-based therapies could help patients maintain independence and lead fulfilling lives. Home-based Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is one therapy that allows patients to integrate treatment into their daily routines while continuing to focus on what matters most, family, work, and personal aspirations.
Improving quality of life for patients sits at the core of advancing dialysis care. “For many patients, treatment should not require putting life on pause; it should empower them to stay engaged in daily routines, whether that means going to work, running a business, or spending meaningful time with loved ones,” Taneja notes.
For patients, the flexibility of peritoneal dialysis is a major advantage. Once trained by healthcare professionals, they can carry out dialysis at home and fit it around their daily schedules. Patients can choose from different PD approaches, including Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) or Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD). CAPD involves manual exchanges performed at convenient times during the day, while APD is typically carried out overnight using an automated device.
“Maintaining a sense of normalcy is extremely important for patients managing kidney failure. When patients are able to continue working, pursuing their ambitions, and contributing to their families and society, it has a meaningful impact on both clinical outcomes and emotional well-being,” Taneja adds.
Beyond clinical care, empowering patients with education and ongoing support plays a crucial role in the success of PD therapy. With the right training, clear guidance from their care teams, and encouragement from their families, many patients learn to integrate dialysis into their daily lives with greater ease and self‑assurance. Quality of life means more than managing an illness , it is living with dignity, independence, and purpose. As Taneja emphasises, patients’ freedom and support to keep moving forward is what an advancing kidney care would offer.
-Vikas Taneja, Country Head, Vantive India
The clinical conversation around End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), is shifting. Survival is no longer the sole measure of success — improving the quality of life must be an equally central objective for healthcare providers. Dr. A. K. Bhalla, Chairperson, Head of the Department, Nephrology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) in New Delhi emphasises that Peritoneal Dialysis is a highly effective modality that enhances quality of life by offering a consistent and steady approach to renal replacement therapy.
The continuous nature of PD enables more consistent toxin clearance and better hemodynamic stability, both are critical to maintaining long-term clinical equilibrium. As Dr. Bhalla notes, these factors contribute meaningfully to a patient’s physical well-being by reducing physiological stress and creating a more stable and predictable daily experience. When patients feel physically balanced, their ability to engage fully in life improves dramatically as well.
Nevertheless, appropriate patient selection remains a key. Dr. A. K. Bhalla indicates that PD offers a safe and sustainable pathway when prescribed judiciously. By maintaining a stable clinical state, it empowers patients to move beyond the identity of a “patient” and resume their roles as active, contributing members of their families and communities.
In medicine, success is measured not only by medical metric but by the patient’s ability to live a fulfilling and independent life. Dr. Bharat V. Shah, Consultant, Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai, and founder of the Narmada Kidney Foundation believes that QoL is the true north star of medical care. For individuals living with kidney failure, QoL is measured by the freedom to work, travel, and maintain social connections where treatment becomes one of their daily routines.
PD is built on the principle of patient empowerment. Dr. Bharat V. Shah highlights that by shifting the site of care from the clinic to the home, we return time and autonomy to the individual.
- For the Professional: APD can be performed overnight, leaving the workday free for meetings, office responsibilities, or managing a business.
- For the Active Individual: The portable nature of PD supplies makes travel more feasible and minimizes disruption to personal aspirations significantly.
“Maintaining a sense of normalcy is a powerful therapeutic tool,” Dr. Bharat V. Shah said. When patients could continue to pursue their career and engage with others, the psychological and emotional benefits are profound. QoL is a vital component of holistic renal care that ensures patients are living with dignity and purpose.
Disclaimer- The views/suggestions expressed in the article are the sole responsibility of the brand connected, this should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details.
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