To commemorate the completion of 50 years of their yeoman service to the poor and needy in the Rural area on the outskirts of Chennai,Rotary Club of Madras West has now commissioned a subsidized Dialysis Centre which will be run by TANKER Foundation at their Tiruverkadu Medical Centre . This Dialysis Centre has 12 machines, of which 2 are exclusively for HCV Positive patients.

The Rotary International Foundation has donated 4 machines and Fairfax India Charitable Foundation has donated 8 machines while the members of the RCMW have supported the project by funding the complete infrastructure cost of Rs.1.75 crores.TANKER foundation was established in 1993 for serving the underprivileged with kidney ailments. TANKER Foundation has meaningfully contributed to healthcare, research, training, creating awareness, conduct medical camps for early detection and advocacy connected to kidney disease.

The unit was inaugurated on 4th May 2017 by Mr. Prem Watsa, CEO and Chairman of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and the Guest of Honour was Rotary District Governor Rtn. Natarajan Nagoji.Mr.Watsa said that the Faifax India Charitable Foundation ,under the suggestion of the Honorable PM Narendra Modi ,aimed to place 1000 dialysis machines in India along with non profit organisations like TANKER , Rotary and others so that the poorest may benefit with quality treatment.He said it was important for all corporates to give back to society.Mr.Watsa also said that he would like to support Research into making the artificial implantable kidney a reality.Rotary Governer Mr.Natarajan Nagoji said that Rotary was dedicated to serving the poor and needy and was proud of RCMWs acheivements.RCMW President Mr.Sashi Menon appreciated the team effort of all his members in making a huge effort for this dream project.Mrs.Latha Kumaraswami,Managing Trustee,TANKER Foundation gave an update of TANKER and how from small beginnings in 1993,TANKER now had 5 units with 62 machines helping 290 patients.2383 dialyses are done every month, of which 1934 are free of cost with valuable help from the Chief Ministers Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) and other donors.Dr.Georgi Abraham,Founder Trustee,TANKER Foundation said that along with treatment it was of utmost importance to create awareness and do screening for early detection and thanked Fairfax and Rotary for their unstinting support.Rtn.Saee Prasad proposed the vote of thanks.