Dialysis Center Act

Benair TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP 24 P12:48 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1407 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIALYSIS CENTERS IN ALL NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND PROVINCIAL HOSPITALS, PROVIDING FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENTS TO INDIGENT PATIENTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a silent but growing public health crisis in the Philippines. It is a progressive condition in which the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. Because CKD often has no symptoms in its early stages, many patients are only diagnosed when the disease is already advanced and requires costly, lifelong treatment.' A recent study revealed that CKD cases in the Philippines have reached 35.94%, far above the global average of 9.1% - 13.4%. With an estimated 7 million Filipinos living with CKD, it is among the leading causes of sickness and death in the Philippines? For patients in the late stage of CKD, dialysis becomes indispensable for survival. 1 "Chronic Kidney Disease In The Philippines: A Silent Epidemic." Jan. 08. 2025. Retrieved from https://capitolmedical.com.ph/articles-and-blogs/chronic-kidney-disease-in-the-philippines-a-silent-epidemic/ 2 "Advancing renal specialty care in the Philippines: Interview with NKTI." Mar. 20, 2025. Retrieved from https://www.hospitalmanagementasia.com/talent-skills/advancing-renal-spectalty-care-in-the-philippines- interview-with-nktil.

Without access to treatment, CKD quickly becomes fatal. Sadly, many Filipino patients withdraw from dialysis not because of medical reasons, but because of financial incapacity. The cost of dialysis treatment remains exorbitant. The recommended frequency is three (3) sessions per week, with each session costing between Php 2,000.00 to Php 7,000.00? Those who are financially incapable rely on government support for dialysis treatment. While government programs and PhilHealth subsidies provide some relief, the demand far outweighs the capacity of existing facilities. This bill seeks to address these issues by mandating the establishment of fully-equipped dialysis wards in all national, regional, and provincial government hospitals, and providing free dialysis treatments for indigent patients. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought. ERWIN T. TULFO 3 "Diulysis price in the Philippines." Retrieved from https://medicalpinas.com/dialysis-centers-philippines/.

senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session SEP 24 P12:48 RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1407 Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIALYSIS CENTERS IN ALL NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND PROVINCIAL HOSPITALS, PROVIDING FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENTS TO INDIGENT PATIENTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Dialysis

Center Act".

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy

5 of the State to ensure accessible, affordable and quality health care services to all the people. To this end, the State shall establish dialysis facilities in all national, regional, and provincial hospitals and guarantee free dialysis treatment to indigent patients.

SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:

(a) National Government Hospital refers to any hospital operated and maintained, either partially or wholly, by the National Government or by any department or division, board, or other agency thereof;

(b) Regional Government Hospital refers to a hospital operated and maintained either partially or wholly by the Regional Government or by any department, division, board, or other agency thereof; (c) Provincial Government Hospital refers to a hospital operated and maintained either partially or wholly by the Provincial Government or by any department, division, board, or other agency thereof; and (d) Indigent Patient refers to a patient who has no visible means of income or whose income is insufficient for family subsistence, as certified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

SEC 4. Establishment, Operation and Maintenance of a Dialysis

Ward or Unit. - Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, all national, regional, and provincial government hospitals shall establish, operate, and maintain a dialysis ward or unit equipped with necessary machine, equipment, and supplies to provide adequate treatment for patients with renal disease.

SEC 5. Free Dialysis Treatment for Indigent Patients. - All

indigent patients shall be entitled to free dialysis sessions in any national, regional, and provincial government hospital. The Department of Health (DOH) shall prescribe the guidelines to ensure equitable access and prevent abuse of this benefit.

SEC. 6. Penalty. - Any hospital chief, administrator or officer-

in-charge who fails to comply with this Act shall be punished with a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PHP 50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 100,000.00).

SEC 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the

implementation of this Act shall be charged from the appropriations of the DOH under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter,

such sum as may be necessary for the continued operation of the center shall be included in the annual general appropriations act.

SEC 8. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - Within sixty (60)

days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations: Provided, That the failure of the promulgation of the said rules and regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.

SEC 9. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of

this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances,

rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,