In observance of World Health Day, CIBAC Party-list Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva renewed his push for the swift passage of a measure that mandates the establishment of dialysis centers in all national, regional, and provincial hospitals to ensure accessible and free dialysis treatment for indigent patients.
Rep. Villanueva earlier filed House Bill No. 7148 that mandates the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with local government units and PhilHealth, to expand hospital-based dialysis facilities and guarantee free treatment for indigent patients.
Data from PhilHealth as of February 2026 show that there are 834 accredited dialysis clinics nationwide—797 of which are privately operated and only 37 government-owned. Of these, 521 are concentrated in Mega Manila, highlighting the stark imbalance in access to life-saving treatment. While the number of centers has increased in recent years, the limited availability of dialysis clinics in rural regions remains a major challenge of the country’s healthcare system. Experts also estimate that at least 13 million Filipinos are affected by various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), further underscoring the urgent need to expand accessible and affordable care.
Rep. Villanueva underscored that despite expanded PhilHealth coverage of up to 156 dialysis sessions per year, many patients with end-stage renal disease continue to shoulder out-of-pocket expenses that can exceed ₱1 million annually once the costs of medicines, laboratory tests, transportation, lost income, and limited access to dialysis centers are considered.
“Dialysis may be covered on paper, but for many Filipino families, survival remains painfully expensive,” he said.
Aside from an initial appropriation of Php 1 billion, the bill also authorizes DOH to receive donations and likewise provides for donor’s tax exemption in order to augment funding mechanisms for the establishments of additional dialysis clinics.
“Health care should heal, not impoverish. When a patient must spend close to—or even more than—a million pesos a year just to survive, that is no longer just a medical concern—it is a moral issue and a test of our commitment to justice and compassion,” Villanueva stressed.
Aligned with the call of World Health Day to promote equitable access to health services, CIBAC Rep. Villanueva emphasized that strengthening dialysis care is a necessary step toward a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system.
“A nation that values life must ensure that illness is not a death sentence for the poor. Access to life-saving treatment must never depend on one’s income or location,” ended the CIBAC solon. ###