I
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
senate
of ttje fefcfi'tnrp
•19 
NOV-4  P2 24
SENATE
S. No. 1X 3 4
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
CREATING ONE REGIONAL KIDNEY AND TRANSPLANT INSTITUTE (R K TI) 
IN  
EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS IN  THE PHILIPPINES, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Department of Health (DOH) identified renal or kidney diseases as one of 
the top ten causes of mortality in the Philippines. The burden of kidney diseases has, 
in fact, taken a toll on millions of Filipinos 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- 
threating 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 definitely have 
an impact to patients and their families - financially, physically, psychologically and 
emotionally.
Available health data shows an increasing trend in the number of Filipinos 
affected with 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


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 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 
Flealth Insurance Corporation (PhilFlealth) for dialysis sessions. From 2015 to 2018, 
PhilFlealth paid P6.3 Billion; P8 Billion; P8.4 Billion; and P10.82 Billion, respectively 
for hemodialysis reimbursements which consistently makes it the top in the list of 
case rates with highest paid claims.
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, 
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 dies within the year, 
presumably because they cannot sustain having adequate dialysis treatments.
Even with the universal PhilFlealth 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 of other dreaded diseases, most of the kidney disease 
patients needing advance renal care have to go to Metro Manila hospitals particularly 
NKTI. To this effect, NKTI has become a center for 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 of the 
services of a specialty hospital.
It is in this regard that this bill aims to create one Regional Kidney and 
Transplant Institute (RKTI) in each of the administrative regions in the country. By


i
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 the 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.
//m ksbc


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
of ttif fe? c : etavf
M f 
NOV -4  P2 24
SENATE
S. No. 1 1 3 4
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
CREATING ONE REGIONAL KIDNEY AND TRANSPLANT INSTITUTE (R K TI) 
IN  EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS IN  THE PHILIPPINES, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -T his Act shall be known as the "Regional Kidney and
2 
Transplant Institute (RKTI) Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared as the policy of the State
4 
to secure the well-being of its people by providing them with specialized health
5 
services and address the increasing incidence of deadly diseases like kidney illness in
6 
the country. It is also the policy of the State to take the initiative in medical and
7 
scientific research and study on kidney and allied diseases and to contribute to the
8 
prevention and treatment of such diseases. It is also the policy of the state to ensure
9 
that every region in the country shall have the equal opportunity to benefit from
10 
public specialty healthcare services. Towards this end, the State shall create regional
11 
kidney and transplant institutes throughout the country.
12 
Sec. 3. Regional Kidney and Transplant Institute (RKTI). -  There is hereby
13 
created one (1) Regional Kideny and Transplant Institute (RKTI) in each of the
14 
administrative regions in the country. The RKTIs shall provide specialized renal care
15 
services for Filipinos suffering from kidney diseases with special consideration for the
16 
marginalized members of the society: Provided, That the operation and maintenance
17 
of the RKTI shall be under the Department of Health (DOH): Provided, further. That
18 
the RKTI shall pursue excellence in developing and establishing the highest level of
19 
training and research for physician and paramedical personnel: Provided, even


1 
further, That the RKTI may be created within the existing DOH Regional Hospitals
2 
and Medical Centers as deemed feasible by the DOH: Provided, finally. That the
3 
RKTI shall provide the same quality of renal care as that of the National Kidney and
4 
Transplant Institute.
5 
Sec. 
4. 
Appropriations. 
-  The fund 
requirement necessary for the
6 
implementation of this Act and the initial operation and maintenance of the RKTIs
7 
shall be charged against the Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be
8 
necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the subsequent
9 
annual General Appropriations Act under the budget of the DOH.
10 
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days (90) after
11 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management
12 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of
13 
this Act.
14 
Sec. 6. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days following
15 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official
16 
Gazette.
Approved,
//m ksbc