China dialysis factory gives kidney patients work, income and hope

Patients receiving dialysis treatment at a medical centre in Guangzhou are also working inside a garment factory created to help them support themselves financially and emotionally.

At the Guangzhou Baoshutang Haemodialysis Centre, patients spend hours connected to dialysis machines before heading upstairs to work on clothing production, including sewing, cutting and ironing garments.

The project was started by former oncologist Xie Qiang after he saw many kidney disease patients struggling with unemployment, financial pressure and mental health difficulties.

“Chronic illness can push patients into a situation where they lose their jobs and income, and some even lose support from their families. It’s common to see patients having mental health struggles. But we noticed that some patients were actually still able to work. So we want to help them find a job,” Xie explained.

Long-term illness leaves many patients isolated 

Patients with end-stage renal disease often require haemodialysis treatment several times each week. The process can take hours and makes regular employment difficult for many people.

Some patients also face rejection during job applications because of strict medical checks.

“These companies are strict in pre-employment medical examinations. It feels like society has left us behind. Even though we are still able to work, very few workplaces are willing to accept people like us,” worker Xiong Rencheng said.

“Here, we can do haemodialysis and can work at the same time. Otherwise, it would be hard for us to make ends meet.”

Shi Yiyang, another patient working at the factory, said treatment costs had placed pressure on his family.

“My parents don’t earn much money. However, my treatment costs a lot. Back in my home city, the insurance coverage was not that good. I had to spend around 2,500 yuan on haemodialysis and daily expenses,” Shi shared.

Factory offers flexible work for dialysis patients 

The garment factory allows patients to work according to their physical condition and treatment schedules. Workers are paid through a piece-rate system and reportedly earn between 2,000 and 6,000 yuan each month. 

For many patients, the opportunity to work has also improved their mental wellbeing. 

“It is better (to be here) than being stuck at home. It feels pointless to be stuck at home day after day,” Xiong noted.

The project, which began as a charity effort, now employs nearly 70 people.

Xie said he hopes similar programmes can be introduced elsewhere and has proposed reforms that would allow dialysis patients to earn part-time wages without losing healthcare support. 

“We hope the factory can become sustainable, growing with the strength from everyone, and eventually run on its own. If the project depends only on me, it won’t last very long. But we can see it’s a model with good potential. With the support from the government and the public, I believe the factory can survive,” Xie said.