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Did you know that dialysis is now free for the impoverished under the Marcos administration? This is one of the significant news items I saw during the recent State of the Nation Address.
One of the most challenging health problems faced by Filipinos today is kidney disease, with many people burdened by debt due to the costly dialysis treatments required for their loved ones. However, a positive change has started with the introduction of free dialysis sessions, accessible in various locations across the Philippines. This health assistance is specifically targeted at indigent patients or those who cannot afford dialysis treatment. Previously, the cost per session ranged from ₱1,500 to ₱4,000 in government hospitals and even reached ₱8,000 in private hospitals. However, since February 2023, the government has officially allocated funds for this initiative.
The Marcos administration allocated funds to assist those in need of dialysis, increasing the previous 90 dialysis sessions to 156 sessions per year per treatment under the Philhealth program. This increase is worth approximately ₱405,000 per patient annually. Additionally, they identified a significant shortage of nursing staff and doctors in government hospitals, which is receiving focused attention to find a resolution.
This initiative marks a crucial step forward in addressing the healthcare needs of the less fortunate and aims to alleviate the financial burden on families dealing with kidney disease.