NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S. No.
SENATE
1861
of t!)? &or. ?tar/
23 FEB-9 P2:03
RECEIVED BV.
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
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
Article 13 Section 11 of the Constitution provides that, "The State shall adopt 
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall 
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the 
people at affordable cost, xxx"
Kidney disease is already the 7th leading cause of death among the Filipinos.1 
According to recent estimates, 2.3 million Filipinos suffer from chronic renal disease.
One Filipino dies because of kidney failure every hour. Nearly 35,000 Filipinos 
are receiving dialysis and other treatments for kidney disease nationwide.2 The 
mortality rate from kidney disease is increasing annually.
Aside from the suffering caused by this illness, kidney patients are also battling 
from accessing dialysis centers and the burden of paying medical fees. For hundreds 
of patients who were unable to avail dialysis, the National Kidney and Transplant 
Institute (NKTI) became the default option. As the number of patients suffering from
1 NKTl.gov.ph. (2010). Kidney Health Plus. Nkti.gov.ph. https://nkti.gov.ph/index.php/patients-and-visitors/kidney-health- 
plus
2 Media, U. P., & Oftlec, P. R. (2020, December 1). UP webinar takes on the challenges ot'kidney disease and dialysis in a 
time of COVID. University of the Philippines, https://up.edu.ph/up-wcbinar-takcs-on-the-challenges-ot-kidney-disea.se-and- 
dialysis-in-a-time-of-covid/


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kidney disease dramaticaiiy increases, the capacity of NKTI is a concern that the State 
shouid address in the near future. Unfortunateiy, patients from the far-fiung areas had 
no other choice but to travei to urban areas just to avaii diaiysis treatment. This 
situation was aggravated during the spike of COVID-19 pandemic when many diaiysis 
centers shut down.
Thus, in consonance with the constitutionai mandate that heaith services shaii 
be avaiiabie to aii the peopie at affordabie costs, this biii seeks to require aii nationai, 
regionai, and provinciai government hospitais to estabiish, operate, and maintain a 
diaiysis ward or unit in their respective hospitai and to provide free diaiysis to indigent 
patients.
In iight of the foregoing, the immediate approvai of the biii is earnestiy sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1861
^cuat? 
of tlje '’t.-q
23 FEB “9 P 2 -03 
\
RECEIVID BY.
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
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 assem bled:
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Section 1. 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 services to the people and to ensure hospital facilities are 
available, affordable and accessible to the people.
mean:
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
(a) National Government Hospital - refers 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 - 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;
(c) Provincial Government Hospital - refers 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 other agency 
thereof; and


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(d) Indigent Patient - refers to patient who has no visible means of income,
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compensation or financial assistance from his/her relatives to support
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his/her basic needs, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and
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Development (DSWD);
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Sec. 4. Establishment, Operation and Maintenance of a Dialysis Ward or Unit.
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- Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, all national, regional, and
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provincial government hospitals are hereby required to establish, operate and
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maintain a dialysis ward or unit in their hospital. The dialysis ward or unit shall be
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equipped with complete dialysis machine, equipment and supplies.
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Sec. 5. Free Dialysis Treatment to Indigent Patients. - Dialysis treatment in all
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national, regional and provincial government hospitals shall be provided free of charge
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to indigent patients as defined in Section 3 (d) hereof.
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Sec. 6. Penalty. — Any hospital chief, administrator or officer-in-charge who
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fails to comply with this Act shall be punished with a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos
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(P50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00).
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Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of DOH shall
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this
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Act.
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Sec. 8. Appropriations. - Such amount as may be necessary to implement the
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provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National
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Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous implementation of this
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Act shall be included in the government hospital's annual appropriations.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
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force and effect.
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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and
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regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
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its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
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Approved,