By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Richard Gordon on Monday announced that the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will open its first dialysis center at the PRC’s former national headquarters in Port Area, Manila, Tuesday, November 6.
(Philippine Red Cross / MANILA BULLETIN)
Gordon, who also heads the PRC, said the establishment of the PRC Dialysis Center is aimed at addressing the kidney-related problems hounding Filipinos throughout the country.
The senator noted that kidney failure has emerged as one of the major health problems throughout the country, with thousands of patients now having to undergo regular twice- to four-times a week hemodialysis treatment.
He said kidney problems cause strain to the families of renal patients who have to continuously cope with the prohibitive costs of maintaining their dialysis treatment sessions, aside from regular and emergency medical examinations, hospitalization, and medicines.
“There is an epidemic of renal diseases in our country today. And it is a disease that is affecting both rich and poor,” Gordon said.
That is why, Gordon said they are hoping that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), and PhilHealth will support indigent patients who are the most vulnerable.
“Because we have to charge our patients P3,700 per session to be able to maintain our dialysis center but the amount covers the EPO injection which costs more than a thousand pesos,” he said.
The PRC Dialysis Center will initially have 10 state-of-the-art dialysis machines which could cater to 60 to 90 patients, depending on whether they are on a twice or thrice a week hemodialysis program. Gordon also said the facility can accommodate 15 dialysis machines.
He also cited the PRC’s partners for their contributions in making the opening of the dialysis center possible, thanking Dr. Takao Suzuki, chairperson of Tokushukai General Incorporated Association, for donating 10 brand new hemodialysis machines, two automated dialyzer reprocessing machines, and the dialysis water treatment system; and Jason Nien, president of EG Healthcare, for donating an Endotoxin Retentive Filter System.