SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
u f t il t  &
*17 
JUL24 P3-45
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1505
RECti vcD 3';'.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
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
More than 28,000 Filipino patients are undergoing dialysis which 
continues to grow every year. The increase in the number of patients with 
renal problem alarms the kidney experts. An estimate of 10% to 15% increase 
in the number of kidney disease cases per year has been projected by the 
Department of Health.
It might not have been the no. 1 cause of death in the country, however, 
it causes the kidney patients their minuscule income to sustain the treatment 
needed to manage the disease. The 45 sessions of dialysis subsidy given by 
Philhealth annually is not enough to endure the never ending dialysis session 
for kidney patients. On average, a kidney patient spends Phpl2,000.00 per 
month for his dialysis session once a week. In addition, patients from rural 
areas spend for travel expenses to avail the complete dialysis machine in 
hospitals located in highly urbanized cities.
The proposed measure aims to establish dialysis ward or unit in all 
national, regional, and provincial government hospitals with complete 
dialysis machine, equipment and supplies. This will make the dialysis center 
available to kidney patients residing in rural areas.


Furthermore, the bill seeks to provide free dialysis treatment to indigent 
patients or tliose whose combined annual family income does not exceed 
Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00).
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
of tlif 'h - 'iT tn rjp
'17 JUL24 P3-45
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1505
RECtlVLU L 1;.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
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
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Dialysis Center 
Act of 2017".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - it is the declared policy of the State to improve 
tl-ie delivery of health care services to the people and to ensure hospital 
facilities are available, affordable and accessible to the people.
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
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shall mean:
a) "Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health;
b) "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;


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c) "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;
d) "Provincial Government Hospital" shall refer to a hospital operated 
and maintained eitlier partially or wholly by the provincial government 
or other political subdivision •, or by any department division, board or 
other agency thereof; and,
e) "Indigent Patient" shall refer to a patient whose combined annual 
family income does not exceed Tliirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00).
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 (E) 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 (P50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Pi 
00,000.00).
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions 
of this Act.
SEC. 8. Appropriations. - Such amount as may be necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the 
National Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the government hospital's 
annual appropriations.


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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,