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/* RECEIVED
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) i}
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) x TIME: 22
First Regular Session ) o. .
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No, 2962

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
CREATING ONE REGIONAL KIDNEY AND TRANSPLANT INSTITUTE (RKTI)
IN EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Department of Heaith (DOH) identified renal or kidney diseases as one of
the top ten causes of mortality in the Philippines. The burden of kidney diseases has
taken a toll on millions of Filipinas over the years. According to DOH, one Filipino
dies every hour from kidney failure. Reports from the National Kidney and
Transplant Institute (NKTI) stated that more than 7,000 cases of kidney failure are
recorded in the country every year.

Medical experts say that having kidney failure is just as disabling and life-
threatening: as the other silent Killer diseases. Kidney diseases require prolonged
medications through dialysis while end-stage renal diseases most likely would
require kidney transplantation. Both approaches are costly and would have an
impact on patients and their families - financially, physically, psychologieally, and
emotionatly.

Available health data shows an increasing trend in the number of Filipinos
affected by kidney diseases, It is more alarming to note that the age of patients has
gone down to as young as eight years old due to inherited diabetes or sedentary
and unhealthy lifestyle of the younger generations. The prevalence of kidney

DATERUL 2.7 22%


diseases among young professionals acquiring kidney diseases is also increasing.
According to NKTI, 120 for every 1 million Filipinos will most likely develop kidney
failure and each year, approximately 10,000 people need to replace their kidney/s.
The 2017 Philippine Renal Disease Registry annual report which is the latest copy
available, recorded that 21,535 Filipinos have undergone dialysis treatments in 2016,
a huge jump from around 10,000 cases recorded in 2010. The same report noted
that kidney disease cases among Filipinos increase at an annual rate of 8% to 18%.

This increasing trend in the incidence of kidney diseases among Filipinos is
also evident in the number and total amount of benefit claims from the Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for dialysis sessions. From 2019 to 2021,
PhilHealth paid P10.6 Billion; P12.6 Billion; and P14 Billion, respectively, for
hemodialysis reimbursements which consistently makes it the top in the list of case
rates with the highest-paid claims. These amounts were a huge jump from the 2015
claims payment for hemodialysis amounting to P6.3 Billion.

A health status report estimated that adequate dialysis costs around P25,000
to P46,000 per month or P300,000 to P552,000 per year. According to NKTI, the
majority of Filipinos are not able to afford this exorbitant cost. In their study, NKTI
stated that half of the patients who start dialysis eventually die within the year,
presumably because they cannot sustain having adequate dialysis treatments.

Even with the universal PhilHealth coverage that is supposed to subsidize the
cost of dialysis sessions, the out-of-pocket expenses are still high for Filipinos with
kidney diseases. As in patients with other dreaded diseases, most kidney disease
patients needing advanced renal care have to go to Metro Manila hospitals,
particularly NKTI. To this effect, NKTI has become a center for the referral of kidney
patients from various regional hospitals in the country. This situation is an additional
burden to the patients in terms of access and cost because they need to travel just
to avail themselves of the services of a specialty hospital.


It is in this regard that this bill aims to create one Regional Kidney and
Transplant Institute (RKT1) in each of the administrative regions in the country. By
doing so, the government ensures that equal access and privilege to avail of
specialized and quality renal care is extended to more Filipinos. The RKTI shall be
administered by the DOH and may be created within the existing DOH Regional
Hospitals and Medical Centers. The RKTI shall be equipped with essential renal care
equipment and necessary medical supplies and shall tap the services of kidney
specialists and professionals who shall render services at a subsidized cost.

The creation of RKTI will also unburden the patients from the provinces of the
additional costs associated with long-distance travel. The same resources can be
used for their other basic needs to sustain life. It is envisioned that by bringing the
specialized kidney care services closer to patients, more lives will eventually be
saved,

In light of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

//mksbc


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B, No. 2962

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
CREATING ONE REGIONAL KIDNEY AND TRANSPLANT INSTITUTE (RKTI)
IN EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Regional Kidney and
Transplant Institute (RKTI) Act”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared as the policy of the State
to secure the well-being of its people by providing them with specialized health
services and address the increasing incidence of deadly diseases like kidney illness in
the country. It is also the policy of the State to take the initiative in medical and
scientific research and study on kidney and allied diseases and to contribute to the
prevention and treatment of such diseases. It is also the policy of the State to
ensure that every region in the country shall have an equal opportunity to benefit
from public specialty healthcare services. Towards this end, the State shall create
regional kidney and transplant institutes throughout the country.

Sec. 3. Regional Kidney and Transplant Institute (RKTI). ~ There is hereby
created one (1) Regional Kidney and Transplant Institute (RKTI) in each of the
administrative regions in the country. The RKTIs shall provide specialized renal care
services for Filipinos suffering from kidney diseases with special consideration for the
marginalized members of the society: Provided, That the operation and maintenance
of the RKTI shall be under the Department of Health (DOH): Provided, further, That
the RKTI shall pursue excellence in developing and establishing the highest level of
training and research for physician and paramedical personnel: Provided, even


further, That the RKTI may be created within the existing DOH Regional Hospitals
and Medical Centers as deemed feasible by the DOH: Provided, finally, That the
RKTI shall provide the same quality of renal care as that of the National Kidney and
Transplant Institute.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act and the initial operation and maintenance of the RKTIs shall be charged
against the Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the subsequent annual General
Appropriations Act under the budget of the DOH.

Sec. 5. Jmplementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days (90) after
the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation
of this Act.

Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days following
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official!
Gazette.

Approved,

J/mksbc