New NKTI hemodialysis building a great blessing for Pinoys — solon

A lawmaker on Wednesday hailed the establishment of the new Hemodialysis Building at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), calling it a great blessing for Filipinos.

Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co said the 13-storey facility would address kidney disease, which is considered as one of the most pressing health issues in the country. He said he is aware of the issue's magnitude since a significant portion of the public seeking medical assistance have kidney problems.

"Sa katunayan, tuwing People's Day ng Ako Bicol Party-List tuwing Lunes sa North Gate ng Batasang Pambansa, mahigit kalahati o roughly sixty-five percent ng mga lumalapit sa amin ay humihingi ng medical assistance dahil may sakit sa bato at nangangailangan ng pang-dialysis,'' Co, chairman of the House appropriations panel, said in a press release.

(In fact, at the People’s Day of Ako Bicol Party-List held at the north gate of the Batasang Pambansa every Monday, roughly 65 percent of those seeking assistance have kidney problems and need dialysis.)

Co said the NKTI's Hemodialysis Building was seen as a major milestone in the country's healthcare infrastructure.

"Kaya naman isang malaking biyaya para sa ating mga Pilipino ang pagtatayo ng 13-story Hemodialysis Building dito sa NKTI. Sa pamamagitan ng bagong gusaling ito, mas maraming kababayan natin ang magkakaroon ng access sa kinakailangang dialysis treatment,'' Co said.

(That's why the construction of the 13-storey Hemodialysis Building here at the NKTI is a huge blessing. With this new building, more Filipinos will have access to dialysis treatments.)

The groundbreaking ceremony of NKTI’s hemodialysis building was held Wednesday, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, along with officials from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Quezon City government.

The new healthcare facility is expected to operate 200 state-of-the-art hemodialysis machines that will cater to patients mainly from the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces.

It also has the capacity to accommodate renal patients under hemodialysis with complex medical conditions and those requiring emergency care. It is also proposed to become a one-stop-shop housing its own Malasakit Center, admission and business area, operating room, laboratory, pharmacy, and commercial spaces.

For Romualdez, building the facility would lay the foundation for hope, modern healthcare, and better quality of life for Filipinos suffering from kidney ailments. 

“Ang bawat dialysis machine na gagamitin dito ay katumbas ng buhay na maaring masagip, pamilyang magkakaroon ng pag-asa, at mga pangarap na maari pang matupad,” he said.

(Each dialysis machine that will be used here is equivalent to a life that can be saved, a family that will have hope, and dreams that can be fulfilled.)

“Malaki ang magiging epekto ng proyektong ito sa buhay ng ordinaryong Pilipino. Hindi na nila kailangang bumiyahe ng malayo o kaya’y maghanap ng malaking halaga para lang makapagpagamot. Dito, sila’y magkakaroon ng access sa modernong pasilidad at dekalidad na serbisyo para maibsan ang kanilang karamdaman,” he added.

(This project will have a great impact on the lives of ordinary Filipinos. They no longer have to travel far or spend a lot of money just to get treatment. Here, they will have access to modern facilities and quality services to treat their condition.)

Experts earlier expressed concern over the number of Filipinos seeking dialysis procedures due to kidney failure as the number of dialysis patients in the country rose by 42%—from 25,125 in 2022 to 35,714 in 2023. 

The sudden rise in numbers may be attributed to the increase of people diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, which are considered lifestyle diseases.

The establishment of the building was part of the Marcos administration's initiative to increase specialty hospitals and centers in the country. 

In August of last year, Marcos signed Republic Act No. 11959 — or An Act Establishing Specialty Centers in Department of Health Hospitals in Every Region and in Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporation Specialty Hospitals and Appropriating Funds Therefor to institutionalize the establishment of specialty and healthcare centers across the country.

Under the law, the Department of Health is tasked to establish specialty centers in its hospitals in every region and in GOCC specialty hospitals.— Anna Felicia Bajo with Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News