New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS): People with yearly income of less than Rs.3 lakh would be given free dialysis treatment in Delhi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced Friday.

She made the announcement while inaugurating the first-ever public private partnership (PPP) model dialysis unit at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital in north Delhi.

"It gives me immense satisfaction to announce that people with income of less than Rs.3 lakh will be given free dialysis treatment and further 150 such dialysis machines will be installed in three other government hospitals," she said.

Health Minister A.K. Walia said: "It is a very big moment for us. I had also gone to Hyderabad to study the system. As various kidney problems are rising in Delhi, this installation will help all those who come here."

For others, the dialysis would cost Rs.1,073 as against Rs.2,000 charged by private hospitals.

"We have international standards for the dialysis procedure. Patients will witness a very high level of service in any government-owned facility," said DCDC Kidney Care managing director Aseem Garg.