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= DATE July 7, 2022
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._1586

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIALYSIS CLINICS IN ALL
NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL HOSPITALS AND PROVIDING
FOR FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENTS TO INDIGENT PATIENTS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Most of the people afflicted with kidney diseases remain untreated. One
of the causes of which is the lack of access to proper treatment and care and
its high cost.

In the Philippines alone, studies have shown that one Filipino dies from
kidney failure every hour. Kidney diseases, especially End Stage Renal
Disease (ESRD) are one of the top leading causes of death among Filipinos.

The proposed legislation which seeks to establish dialysis clinics in all
national, regional, and provincial hospitals and to provide free dialysis
treatments, aims to address this issue. This with help improve access to
treatment and help ease the burden of patients battling with kidney diseases.

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



Rep. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative |/Tingog Sinirangan

. ACIDRE
five, Tingog Sinirangan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _1586

see

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ

and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

SSS

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIALYSIS CLINICS IN ALL
NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL HOSPITALS AND PROVIDING
FOR FREE DIALYSIS TREATMENTS TO INDIGENT PATIENTS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the

Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - \t is hereby declared the policy of
the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them. For this purpose, the State shall ensure
that patients suffering from End Stage Renal Disease are accorded timely and
appropriate treatment with the provision of accessible dialysis clinics and free
dialysis treatments.

Section 2. Establishment of Dialysis Clinics in all National,
Regional and Provincial Hospitals. — There shall be established dialysis
clinics in all national, regional, and provincial hospitals in the country. The
dialysis clinics shall be equipped with sufficient machines, equipment,
paraphernalia, and supplies, and staffed with the appropriate number of
medical and other personnel, including a dietician who shall recommend the
appropriate diet to each patient depending on the condition of the patient.


The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with local government
units and other relevant government agencies, shall lead the establishment of

these clinics.

Section 3. Free Dialysis Treatment to Indigent Patients. - The DOH,
in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, shall ensure
that indigent patients are accorded free dialysis treatments in national, regional,
or provincial hospitals. For this purpose, “indigent patient’ refers to a patient
who has no visible means of income, or whose income is insufficient for the
subsistence of his family, as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).

Section 4. Authority to Receive Donations and Exemption from
Donor’s Taxes, Customs and Tariff Duties. - The DOH shall have the
authority to receive donations, gifts, and bequests to augment the funding for
the establishment of the dialysis clinics created in accordance with this Act. All
donations, contributions, or endowments which may be made by persons or
entities to the dialysis clinics in national, regional, and provincial hospitals and
the importation of medical equipment and machineries, spare parts and other
medical equipment used solely and exclusively by the dialysis clinics shall be
exempt from income or donor's taxes, any other direct or indirect taxes,
wharfage fees and other charges and restrictions.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60)
days from the implementation of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH),
upon consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall issue the implementing
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 6. Appropriations. - An initial amount of One Billion Pesos
(Php 1,000,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the implementation of this Act.
Thereafter, the necessary fund for the proper implementation of this Act shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


Section 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof
contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,