Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__ 887 _

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE, AND
MAINTAIN A DIALYSIS WARD OR UNIT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
HOSPITAL AND PROVIDING FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENT TO
INDIGENT PATIENTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed alarm over the rising cases of kidney
disease in the country. Data obtained from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute
(NKTI) reveals that approximately one Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour,
translating to roughly 120 Filipinos per million population annually. Unfortunately,
underdiagnosis remains a persistent problem for those suffering from kidney failure but are
unable to undergo dialysis treatment due to its high cost and inaccessibility especially in rural
areas.

Dialysis treatment is needed on a regular and sustained basis. The optimum frequency
of dialysis is three times a week but because of its cost and inaccessibility, some patients
settle with less treatments resulting in a more progressive health deterioration. Patients from
tural areas who are suffering from kidney disorder are compelled to travel to the urban cities
to avail themselves of the treatment. To worsen matters, some patients have died without even
having a chance to undergo dialysis because they could not afford it.

To supplement the government’s efforts to reform the health sector and provide
Filipinos with comprehensive health services mandated by the Constitution, local government
units and various stakeholders must be tapped to make healthcare services more affordable
and accessible. Thus, this bill requires all national, regional and provincial government
hospitals to establish, operate, and maintain a dialysis ward or unit to ensure that dialysis
treatment will be available, accessible and cost-effective especially to those living in the rural
areas. Further, dialysis treatment must be provided to indigent patients free of charge.

‘The immediate approval of this proposed measure is earnestly



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__ 887 _

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE, AND
MAINTAIN A DIALYSIS WARD OR UNIT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
HOSPITAL AND PROVIDING FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENT TO
INDIGENT PATIENTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Dialysis Center Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, ~ It is the declared policy of the State to improve the
delivery of health care services to the people and to ensure hospital facilities are available,
affordable and accessible to the people.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
mean

{a) “National Government Hospital” shall refer to a hospital operated and maintained
either partially or wholly by the national government or by any department,
division, board or other agency thereof,

(b) “Regional Government Hospital” shall refer to a hospital operated and maintained
either partially or wholly by the national government or by any department,
division, board or other agency thereof,

(c) “Provincial Government Hospital” shall refer to a hospital operated and

maintained either partially or wholly by the provincial government or other
political subdivision, or by any department, division, board or agency thereof; and

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(d) “Indigent Patient” shall refer to a patient who has no visible means of income, or
whose income is insufficient for the subsistence of his/her family, as assessed by
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local goverment
social worker, Municipal Social Worker of the health facility, or a social worker of
any government entity providing medical and financial assistance.

SEC. 4, Establishment, Operation and Maintenance of a Dialysis Ward or Unit. ~
Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, all national, regional, and provincial
government hospitals are hereby required to establish, operate and maintain a dialysis ward or
unit in their hospital. The dialysis ward or unit shall be equipped with complete dialysis
machine, equipment, and supplies.

SEC. 5. Free Dialysis Treatment to Indigent Patients. — Dialysis treatment in all
national, regional, and provincial government hospitals shall be provided free of charge to
indigent patients as defined in Section 3(d) hereof.

SEC. 6. Penalty. — Any hospital chief, administrator or officer-in-charge who fails to
comply with this Act shall be punished with a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PHP 50,000.00),
but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 100,000.00).

SEC. 7, Implementing Rules and Regulations, ~ Within sixty (60) days upon the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH) shall promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. ~ The sum necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act shall be taken from the current applicable appropriations of the Department of Health
(DOH) and overali savings of the National Government. Thereafter, funds for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity: — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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