Free dialysis in gov’t hospitals proposed

A LAWMAKER had finally seen the difficulties of Filipinos with kidney failures in availing health treatments because of its high cost.

Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado authored House Bill 6784 which is a proposal to solve the dilemma of indigent patients with kidney failures. Mercado observed that a large number of kidney patients who are in need of dialysis treatment are poor and cannot afford the expensive medical procedure.

“The number of people who are suffering from kidney diseases has shown an alarming trend. The sad thing to note is that a large number of kidney patients are in need of dialysis treatment which in most cases is unaffordable to the patient,” Mercado said.

“The State cannot turn a blind eye on the sad fate of those who cannot afford a dialysis treatment,” Mercado stressed.

On the bill, all government hospitals and health centers nationwide will provide free dialysis to all patients in need of such treatment. Dialysis treatment will also be brought to the rural health centers to make it affordable and accessible to patients from rustic areas.

“The provision of free dialysis treatment will make health services available to our people,” Mercado said.

Among the provisions under the bill is that the Department of Health must include in its annual budget the funds that will be needed for the implementation of the bill if passed into a law.