By Brian Campued
Underscoring the need to improve access to quality dialysis treatment for Filipinos suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite the completion of the 13-storey hemodialysis center at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).
During an inspection of the ongoing construction of the facility at the NKTI compound in Quezon City on Friday, President Marcos Jr. noted that 11% of Filipinos suffer from CKD.
“Ito kasi ay malaking pangangailangan sa ating populasyon… Kaya’t kailangang patibayin natin at palawakin natin ang ating serbisyo para sa pag-treat ng CKD,” he stressed.
Once completed by the end of 2027, the P2.8 billion-worth NKTI Hemodialysis Building will house 200 state-of-the-art hemodialysis machines to accommodate renal patients undergoing hemodialysis who have complex medical conditions and those requiring emergency care.
Designed as a comprehensive one-stop healthcare facility, the facility will also provide essential support services to improve patient care and advance the implementation of the Universal Health Care Program.
“Pag natapos na ito, ito ang magiging pinakamalaking dialysis center sa Southeast Asia,” the President said. “Ang ating tinitingnan na schedule, early 2028 makapag-operate na itong dialysis center.”
He emphasized that processing of the budget for the project, which started in 2023, has been optimized to fast-track the construction of the facility while ensuring its structural integrity and operational readiness.
“Ang dating nangyayari kasi, tingi-tingi ang pagbigay ng pondo kaya’t hindi puwedeng madaliin,” he said. “Kaya’t ang ginawa natin, pinalitan natin ang sistema, buo kaagad ang pondo—para habang ginagawa rito sa mga lower floor, hindi pa tapos ang finishing, ay sinimulan na yung mga upper floor.”
Expanded PhilHealth benefits for CKD patients
Aside from building health facilities, the President assured that the government continues to implement programs aimed at addressing the growing demand for dialysis services and boosting preventive and specialized care to reduce the number of patients suffering from CKD.
He said that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has increased the annual coverage for hemodialysis sessions from 90 to 156, while the benefit package per dialysis session has been raised from P4,000 to P6,350.
In addition, the Z Benefit Package for dialysis patients has also been expanded, with annual coverage now ranging from P389,640 to P500,140 for adult patients and from P510,000 to P1.2 million for pediatric patients.
“Meron na rin tayong 904 accredited na dialysis centers sa buong Pilipinas, kaya’t ito’y makakapagaserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan na naghihirap, na naging pasyente, dahil nga nagkaroon ng chronic kidney disease,” the Chief Executive said.
During the inspection, President Marcos Jr. was accompanied by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, and NKTI Executive Director Dr. Jose Dante Dator.
-jpv
