Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2540

Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Department of Health, one (1) Filipino dies of kidney disease every
hour. The Philippines has seen a 400% increase in the prevalence of dialysis from 2011 to
2020, and kidney failure has become one of the ten leading causes of death in the country.
Diabetes and hypertension have become additional risk factors in the occurrence of kidney
disease.

As of 2020, close to 35,000 are undergoing dialysis and treatment for kidney disease
in the country. These numbers show a gap in the accessibility of quality kidney treatment of
dialysis to Filipinos, especially in the far-flung areas. Although kidney disease is already one
of the top killers of Filipinos, only a few are able to access dialysis and treatment. It is thus
imperative to establish dialysis centers in every hospital in the Philippines, to increase
accessibility to patients.

Accessibility also has an economic aspect. Continuous dialysis and treatment take a
heavy toll on the resources of Filipinos. There is also a need to make dialysis more accessible
to indigent Filipinos who cannot afford treatment for their kidneys. This will lessen the
strain on their funds, and allow them to lead more dignified lives.

This bill seeks to establish dialysis wards or units in all government hospitals at the
national, regional, and local levels, and provide free dialysis treatment to indigent patients.

The immediate approval of this proposed measure is earnestly sought.

weber Oe
OSIO “BOY” C. CRUZ, JR.
Representative, Fifth District of
Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2540

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr.

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:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Dialysis Center Act.”

Section 2, Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared 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 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;

©) “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 either partially or wholly by the provincial government or other
political subdivision, or by any department, division, board or agency
thereof; and

e) “Indigent Patient” shall refer 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, 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.

Section 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.

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 Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary shall promulgate
the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,