NKTI exec welcomes House approval of bill giving free dialysis treatments to indigents

The director of the National Kidney Transplant Institute on Wednesday welcomed the approval by the House of Representatives of the measure seeking to provide free dialysis treatments for indigent patients.

Interviewed on GMA News' Unang Balita, Rose Liquete said this would be a great help for indigent patients as the expenses for kidney dialysis are huge. According to Liquete, kidney dialysis, which has to be done two to three times a week, may cost P3,000 to P4,000 per session.

If the patient is bedridden, the cost may reach as high as P9,000 to P10,000 per session.

"Napakalaking gastos sa dialysis kasi forever 'yan unless magpa-transplant ang pasyente," Liquete said.

"Maganda din na libre ang dialysis pero encourage din natin sila ng transplant na sana 'yun ay malilibre ng lahat ng gobyerno at saka 'yung gamot nila na panghabang-buhay," she added.

With 177 votes in the affirmative, the lower chamber on Monday afternoon approved House Bill 9156, which seeks to provide free comprehensive renal replacement therapy (RRT) for patients with end stage renal disease in national, regional and provincial government hospitals.

It also aims to increase the PhilHealth package rate for RRT for its members.

Under the measure, qualified indigent patients will be covered by a "No Balance Billing Policy."

According to Liquete, the Department of Social Welfare and Development as well as hospitals have criteria in determining indigent patients. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News