Nephrology

Comprehensive care for acute and chronic kidney disease — advanced dialysis, renal transplantation and critical-care renal support.

Overview

The Department of Nephrology at SMIMS provides comprehensive care for patients with acute and chronic kidney diseases through advanced diagnostics, renal replacement therapies and multidisciplinary clinical management.

The department achieved a significant milestone by performing the first renal transplant in Kanyakumari district, establishing SMIMS as a major centre for advanced kidney care in the region.

Supported by experienced nephrologists, medical officers, dialysis technicians, dialysis nurses and trained support staff — with a strong emphasis on patient safety, infection control and quality standards.

Dr. Beena Unnikrishnan

MD, DM, DNB

Nephrology

nephrology@sreemookambikainstitute.com

Dialysis Services

Modern haemodialysis machines

Dialysis shifts per day

1,800–2,500

Dialysis sessions / month

24×7

Emergency dialysis availability

Separate dialysis areas for serology-positive and serology-negative patients

Two central Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants + portable RO system

Automated dialyser reprocessing with strict fibre-bundle volume standards

Recognized under TN Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme

Advanced Dialysis Procedures

Conventional Haemodialysis

Heparin-Free Haemodialysis

For patients with bleeding risk

Slow Low Efficiency Dialysis (SLED)

For critically ill patients

Charcoal Haemoperfusion

Toxin and drug removal

Plasmapheresis

Selected immune-mediated renal diseases

Renal Transplant Programme

The department initiated its live-related donor renal transplantation programme in 2017, marking an important milestone in advanced renal care at SMIMS. The programme is designed to remain financially accessible — allowing patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to benefit from life-saving transplant surgery.

Supported by a multidisciplinary team of nephrologists, transplant surgeons, anaesthesiologists, intensivists and transplant coordinators — ensuring comprehensive perioperative and long-term care.

Emergency & Critical Care Renal Support

Emergency dialysis for acute kidney injury

Renal care for critically ill patients in ICUs

Dialysis support for poisoning and toxin removal

Management of complex electrolyte and metabolic disorders

Academic Activities

As part of a teaching medical institution, the Department of Nephrology actively contributes to undergraduate, postgraduate and allied health sciences education — including:

MD General Medicine

Clinical training of postgraduate residents in nephrology, dialysis and transplant care.

B.Sc Dialysis Technology

Hands-on training in haemodialysis, machine operation, water treatment and infection control.

MBBS Teaching

Bedside teaching, case discussions and demonstrations of nephrology procedures.

Faculty

S.No	Name	Designation	Date of Joining
1	Dr. Beena Unnikrishnan	Professor	16-2-2011