Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN
ACT
REQUIRING
ALL
NATIONAL,
REGIONAL
AND
PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A
DIALYSIS WARD OR UNIT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE HOSPITALS AND PROVIDING
FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENT TO INDIGENT PATIENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, kidney diseases, especially End Stage
Renal Disease (ESRD) is the 7th leading cause of death among Filipinos.1 Every 40 minutes, one
Filipino develops chronic renal failure.2 According to latest data from the World Health
Organization, 5.84% of total deaths in 2020 were attributable to kidney disease. Philippines
currently ranks tenth in the world in terms of death rate due to kidney disease.3
Costs of dialysis are exorbitant, often beyond the reach of Filipino indigents. Prices can range
from Php 2,000 to Php 7,000 for each session.4 Not all government hospitals have dialysis
centers, and those that do can only accommodate a limited number of patients at a time. On
average, at least 3 sessions of dialysis are needed on a weekly basis.5 Given the frequency and
costs of dialysis, indigent Filipinos are often barred from accessing dialysis which is necessary
for their treatment.
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote
the right to health of the people. It is incumbent upon our government to make dialysis
treatments equally accessible to all, regardless of income and social class. With this legislative
measure, dialysis centers will be established in all government hospitals across the country, and
dialysis treatments will be provided free of charge to Filipino indigents. By ensuring that every
Filipino has access to life-saving dialysis treatments, we are not only upholding their right to
health but also fostering a society that values the well-being of all its citizens, leaving no one
behind.
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato
1 https://nkti.gov.ph/index.php/patients-and-visitors/kidney-health-plus
2 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1616181/chronic-kidney-disease-1-filipino-develops-it-every-40-minutes
3 https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/philippines-kidney-disease
4 https://medicalpinas.com/dialysis-centers-philippines/#Price_of_Hemodialysis_in_the_Philippines
5 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dialysis/what-
happens/#:~:text=Most%20people%20need%203%20sessions,in%20hospital%20or%20at%20home.
May 8, 2023
1:03 pm
7951


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN
ACT
REQUIRING
ALL
NATIONAL,
REGIONAL
AND
PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A
DIALYSIS WARD OR UNIT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE HOSPITALS 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 services to the people and to ensure hospital facilities are available, affordable
and accessible to the people. The State further endeavors to provide free medical care and
assistance to its indigent or pauper citizens.”
Section 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
mean:
(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
(d) Indigent Patient – refers to patient who has no visible means of income, compensation or
financial assistance from his/her relatives to support his/her basic needs, or whose income is
insufficient for family subsistence, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD);
7951


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
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, without
limit, to indigent patients as defined in Section 3 (d) hereof.
Section 6. Penal Provisions –
(a) A public official or employee who commits the following acts shall, after due notice
and hearing, suffer the corresponding penalties as herein provided:
(1) Commits an unethical and fraudulent act or abuse of authority, shall be
suspended for three (3) months without pay for the first offense and dismissal from
service for the succeeding offense;
The abovementioned administrative penalty shall be without prejudice to the
filing of criminal charges under Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the “Anti-
Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” and existing penal laws.
(b) Any person who commits fraud or misrepresentation as to his/her indigency or
financial incapacity shall render the assistance void and shall make the person liable for twice the
amount of assistance provided and suffer the penalty of imprisonment from six (6) months to not
more than two (2) years
Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of DOH shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
7951


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
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 of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.
Section. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and
regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
7951