Q: My niece is suffering from a kidney problem and is hospitalised. The doctors have advised that dialysis should be done at home. We need a dialysis machine known as Easycare. Can you advise us on this and where we can purchase them or take them on rent?

A:There are three treatment options to kidney failure: Haemodiaysis, Peritoneal Dialysis and Transplantation. As suggested by your doctor, home dialysis could be either peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis. Several manufacturers have floated a variety of home dialysis machines and their costs are across the spectrum. One useful internet resource is www.homedialysis.org which offers an entire constellation of info on this topic and also a list of the products. I am not in a position to recommend one product over the other. But I can tell you that even used or refurbished products can be obtained at discounted rates. Certain companies do offer leasing option on their products.