ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Solons led by ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has filed a resolution urging the adoption and subsequent expansion of Phililippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) coverage of the latest dialysis machine, the automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). 

Doing so would improve the quality of life for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, Tulfo and his co-authors said in House Resolution (HR) No.1789. 

“Expanding PhilHealth coverage for APD would ensure greater access to this life￾changing treatment, promoting equity and reducing the financial burden on patients and their families,” the resolution stated. 

“Increased utilization of APD would not only benefit patients but also potentially alleviate the strain on healthcare facilities currently overwhelmed by high volumes of hemodialysis patients,” it added. 

The authors state that CKD is a growing public health concern in the Philippines, affecting millions of Filipinos and significantly impacting their quality of life. Dialysis treatment, specifically hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (PD), is a life-saving intervention for patients with advanced CKD. 

They noted that peritoneal dialysis offers several advantages over hemodialysis, including greater flexibility, increased patient independence, and the potential for improved cardiovascular health. 

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is a further advancement in PD technology. It uses "automated machines to perform exchanges throughout the night while the patient sleeps, reducing treatment burden and improving sleep quality,” the resolution said. 

Studies have also shown that APD can significantly improve patient outcomes compared to manual PD, including reduced peritonitis rates, better blood sugar control, and enhanced overall well-being. 

The lawmakers note that there is no current PhilHealth coverage for APD compared to manual PD and hemodialysis. This creates a financial barrier for patients who could benefit most from this new technology. 

Tulfo says they strongly urge the Department of Health (DOH) to develop and implement a national program to promote the adoption and wider use of APD as a treatment option for CKD patients in the Philippines and for PhilHealth to review and expand the coverage for APD to ensure it is equivalent to the coverage provided for hemodialysis. 

Aside from Tulfo, the resolution was also penned by his fellow ACT-CIS Party-list nominees Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet lone Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.