Lawmaker urges expansion of hemodialysis units in public hospitals

In response to the rising number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in the Philippines, Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo is advocating for the expansion of outpatient hemodialysis units in government hospitals.

In time for the National Kidney Month this June, Rillo emphasized the importance of utilizing funds from the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) to address the growing healthcare needs.

“We would urge all public hospitals to seek HFEP funding so that they can increase their hemodialysis stations and accommodate more CKD patients,” Rillo, a member of the House committee on appropriations, said in a statement on Sunday.

The HFEP has been allocated P28.5 billion in the 2024 General Appropriations Law, ensuring continuous funding for the enhancement of public healthcare facilities.

The program supports the construction, upgrading, and expansion of medical facilities, as well as the procurement of additional hospital equipment.

Rillo highlighted the critical need for hemodialysis treatment, which CKD patients require up to three times a week, with each session lasting four hours.

“Public hospitals must guarantee Filipinos living with CKD ready and uninterrupted access to hemodialysis treatment to assure them a superior quality of life,” he said.

CKD is a leading cause of sickness and death in the Philippines, and the demand for hemodialysis remains high.

In 2023, a total of 3,627,350 hemodialysis procedure claims were filed with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), amounting to P17.4 billion in claims.