Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ 
______________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish dialysis clinics in all national, regional, provincial, and strategic district 
hospitals and to provide for free dialysis treatments to indigent patients. 
The progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to terminal stage remains to be a significant 
source of poor quality of life and premature mortality. Standards of medical care involve timely referral to 
specialists for the start of dialysis treatment. To date, studies show that new cases have increased by about 
15% every year affecting mostly senior citizens.  
Philhealth has increased the number of subsidized dialysis sessions from ninety (90) to one hundred 
forty-four (144). However, dialysis treatments are costly especially that treatment schedule regularly 
requires thrice weekly sessions. If sessions are missed, serious complications and fatality may arise.  
The comprehensive dialysis benefit package under this Act shall fully cover all costs of 
hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, sessions, and procedures done on indigent patients. 
To continuously improve the delivery of health services and make health facilities more accessible 
to everyone, this bill is earnestly sought. 
MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ, MNSA 
August 3, 2022
1:57 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIALYSIS CLINICS IN ALL NATIONAL, 
REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL AND STRATEGIC DISTRICT HOSPITALS AND PROVIDING 
FOR FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENTS TO INDIGENT PATIENTS AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section I. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Dialysis Center Act" 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the 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. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms as used in this Act 
shall mean the following: 
(a) “Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health;
(b) "National Government Hospital" refers to a hospital operated and maintained either partially
or wholly by the National Government or by any department or division, board, or other agency
thereof;
(c) "Regional Government Hospital" refers 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" refers to a hospital operated and maintained either partially
or wholly by the Provincial Government or by any department, division, board or other agency
thereof;
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(e) “Strategic District Government Hospital" refers to a hospital, selected by the Provincial 
Government as strategic in location, operated and maintained either partially or wholly by the 
Provincial Government or by any department, division, board or other agency thereof; and 
 
(f) “Indigent Patient" refers to a patient whose combined annual family income does not exceed 
thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00). 
 
Section 4. Establishment, Operation and Maintenance of a Dialysis Ward or Unit. – Within two 
(2) years from the effectivity of this Act, all national, regional, provincial and strategic district 
government hospitals are hereby required to establish, operate and maintain a dialysis ward in their 
hospital. The dialysis ward or unit shall be equipped with the complete dialysis machine, equipment and 
supplies. 
 
Section 5. Free Dialysis Treatment to Indigent Patients. - Dialysis treatment in all national, 
regional, provincial and strategic district government hospitals shall be provided free of charge to indigent 
patients as defined in Section 3 (e) thereof. 
 
Section 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 (P100,000.00). 
 
Section 7. Implementing Agencies. - Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the 
Secretary shall provide the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. The IRR shall be published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
Section 8. Appropriations. - The amount 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 hospitals’ annual 
appropriations 
 
Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of the Act is declared void or 
unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not be affected by such declaration. 
 
Section 13. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of law or regulations inconsistent herewith 
is hereby repealed, revoked, or modified accordingly. 
 
Section 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,