Chennai: The state health department launched a special scheme to offer a protein-rich diet, including milk, eggs, and chickpeas, to dialysis patients in state-run hospitals. The scheme, launched by health minister Ma Subramanian on Wednesday, aims to improve the treatment outcome and quality of life for dialysis patients.Studies by the department show that at least 8.4% of the population suffers from kidney damage in Tamil Nadu. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. This leads to the accumulation of waste in the body, besides other health problems. The condition can worsen over time as the kidneys completely shut down, making dialysis and eventually a renal transplant necessary.“Dialysis removes waste products from the body. But it also takes away essential proteins from the body,” said Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital dean Dr K Shantharam. “Patients on dialysis need a higher protein diet to replace these losses and prevent malnutrition. High-quality protein helps maintain muscle mass, repair tissues, fight infections, and manage fluid balance. Without sufficient protein, patients can experience fatigue, muscle wasting, and an increased risk of complications,” he said.Over the past few years, Tamil Nadu has seen a surge in patients at nephrology wards across all hospitals, an increase in people registering for dialysis, and those on the waitlist for renal transplants, too, say doctors. Between Jan 11, 2024, and Jan 10, 2025, more than 200 crore was claimed for dialysis from insurance companies by hospitals – govt and private – under the chief minister’s health insurance scheme. With more than 1,170 dialysis units spread across the state in nearly all state-run hospitals, Tamil Nadu offers free dialysis services for patients with chronic renal failure. If patients must travel longer distances to reach govt hospitals, doctors recommend the nearest private hospital empanelled under the insurance scheme.On Wednesday, Subramanian said nearly 10,000 patients undergo dialysis in GHs. Each of these patients will be given 27 gm of protein (400 kcal) – 100 ml of milk, two eggs, black/white chickpeas, and three biscuits of 20 grams each.