The first hemodialysis facility for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients within the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City will be operational by the first week of May this year.
"We fast-tracked the completion of this one unit off-site hemodialysis facility to provide NKTI with 20 additional rooms that can accommodate a maximum of three patients per treatment area or a total of 60 patients per day," Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said Friday, April 30.
“As the NKTI Management scrambles to find space for the hemodialysis treatment of patients infected with COVID-19, our DPWH Task Force for Augmentation of Local/National Health Facilities together with the Bureau of Construction led the construction of the facility,” Villar added.
The NKTI management has requested for the construction of an additional pop-up hospital to serve as a supplementary facility for COVID-19 patients with compromised kidneys who need to undergo regular hemodialysis treatment.
The facility is equipped with a separate waiting area for patients and watchers, a staff area, treatment areas with standard machine components, and storage and water treatment area.
Exclusive access for arriving patients was considered in the construction of a service delivery method to the main reception area that caters to people who may come to the facility by walking, using mobility equipment, ambulance stretcher, or patient trolley.
A modular dormitory composed of 16 rooms with double deck beds and toilet was also built to provide temporary shelter for NKTI frontliners.