TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 1056
25 AUG-6 P2 33
Rl-.CLiVcD bV;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a silent but relentless killer that afflicts 
thousands of Filipinos each year, cutting short lives and shattering families. For many, 
dialysis is not merely a treatment—it is the lifeline between survival and premature 
death. Yet, despite its critical importance, access to dialysis remains out of reach for 
a vast majority of indigent patients due to prohibitive costs and the glaring lack of 
facilities, especially in regional and provincial hospitals. This dire healthcare gap 
represents not just a medical crisis but a profound social injustice that demands urgent 
and decisive action.
This bill seeks to decisively address this gap by mandating all national, regional, 
and provincial government hospitals to establish, operate, and maintain dedicated 
dialysis wards or units within their respective facilities. This provision will significantly 
increase the availability of dialysis services across the country, particularly in 
underserved communities, ensuring that Filipinos in need have timely and proximate 
access to care.


More importantly, this bill guarantees free dialysis treatment for indigent 
patients, alleviating the financial burden faced by economically disadvantaged Filipinos 
battling kidney failure. This measure reaffirms the State's commitment to equitable 
healthcare, ensuring that no Filipino is deprived of essential medical treatment due to 
poverty.
A similar bill was filed by Senator Cynthia A. Villar in the 19th Congress, it 
exemplifies the government's obligation to uphold the right to health and to provide 
quality, accessible, and compassionate care for all citizens, especially the vulnerable.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. 
The mandatory establishment and operation of dialysis wards or units in 
all national, regional, and provincial government hospitals, equipped 
with adequate facilities, qualified healthcare professionals, and essential 
equipment;
2. 
The provision of free dialysis treatments to indigent patients, ensuring 
they receive life-saving interventions without financial hardship;
3. 
The appropriation of necessary funds and resources to sustain the 
operations and maintenance of dialysis units;
4. 
The facilitation of close coordination among the Department of Health 
(DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and local 
government units (LGUs) to streamline implementation and maximize 
resource utilization;
5. 
The development of robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms 
to ensure transparency and the efficient use of public funds.
This bill underscores the urgent need to strengthen our healthcare system's 
capacity to serve all Filipinos, regardless of socio-economic status, by expanding 
access to critical dialysis treatment. It champions a vision of inclusive health where 
dignity and care are guaranteed for every patient.


In light of these considerations, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.
^«3lNGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
* '■ y
cit !
)
SENATE
1056
25 AUG -6 P2 33
«l:CEiVED [i r':
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Dialysis Center Act.
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to improve
3 
the delivery of health care services to the people and to ensure hospital facilities are
4 
available, affordable and accessible to the people.
5 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
6 
mean:
7 
a) Indigent Patient refers to a patient who has no visible means of income,
8 
compensation or financial assistance from his/her relatives to support
9 
his/her basic needs, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and
10 
Development (DSWD);
11 
b) National Government Hospital refers to a hospital operated and maintained
12 
either partially or wholly by the national government or by any department,
13 
division, board or other agency thereof;


1 
c) Provincial Government Hospital refers to a hospital operated and maintained
2 
either partially or wholly by the provincial government or other political
3 
subdivision, or by any department division, board or other agency thereof;
4 
d) Regional Government Hospital refers to a hospital operated and maintained
5 
either partially or wholly by the national government or by any department,
6 
division, board or other agency thereof;
7 
e) Secretary refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health;
8 
Sec. 4. Establishment, Operation and Maintenance of a Dialysis Ward or Unit
9 
- Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, all national, regional, and
10 
provincial government hospitals are hereby required to establish, operate and
11 
maintain a dialysis ward or unit in their hospital. The dialysis ward or unit shall be
12 
equipped with complete dialysis machine, equipment and supplies.
13 
Sec. 5. Free Dialysis Treatment to Indigent Patients. - Dialysis treatment in all
14 
national, regional and provincial government hospitals shall be provided free of charge
15 
to indigent patients as defined in Section 3 (e) hereof.
16 
Sec. 6. Penalty. - Any hospital chief, administrator or officer-in-charge who fails
17 
to comply with this Act shall be punished with a fine of Fifty thousand pesos
18 
(P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00).
19 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary shall promulgate
20 
the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
21 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - Such amount as may be necessary to implement the
22 
provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National
23 
Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous implementation of this
24 
Act shall be included in the government hospitals annual appropriations.
25 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
26 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
27 
remain valid and subsisting.
28 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and
29 
regulations, or parts thereof that are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of
30 
this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.


1 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the
3 
Philippines.
Approved,