Dialysis wards in state hospitals
By Nidz Godino
“With number of citizens affected with kidney diseases that continue to increase annually, together with high mortality risk posed, need to capacitate our government hospitals is immediate and significant,” lone district Representative Deputy Speaker and Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar representative pointed out recognizing healthcare is essential component in ensuring healthy nation, filed measure seeking to establish dialysis units in government hospitals and provide free treatments to indigent patients. In filing House Bill 3098, Villar said chronic kidney disease is among leading causes of death in the country and major cause of hospitalization. Once enacted into law, all national, regional, and provincial government hospitals are required to establish, operate and maintain dialysis ward, with complete dialysis machine, equipment and supplies within two years from proposed law’s approval.
Moreover, dialysis treatment of patients who have no visible means of income or support, as determined by the Social Welfare department, shall be provided free of charge.
A dialysis session usually costs P4,500, and is recommended to be conducted thrice weekly, which would sum up to P13,500.
According to the lawmaker, operations and services of National Kidney and Transplant Institute, leading referral center in the country, faced difficulties due to Covid-19, resulting in decrease in bed capacity, decrease in hospital admissions and increase in length of stay of patients.
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