Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. 2058 
Introduced by Rep. Robert Nazal 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Dialysis continues to be an essential medical service in the Philippines, particularly in 
light of the rising incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is estimated that every 
hour, one Filipino becomes increasingly susceptible to chronic renal failure.1 2 Dialysis 
serves a critical role in assisting the kidneys in eliminating harmful substances from the 
body, thereby supporting overall health.3 However, despite its importance, many 
Filipinos are still unable to fully access the benefits of dialysis due to various barriers in 
the healthcare system that impede progress and equitable service delivery. 
Considering the existing gaps and challenges in the treatment of patients with chronic 
kidney disease (CKD), various initiatives have been undertaken to align with the 
provisions of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law of 2019. These efforts are 
supported by ongoing advancements in medical science and healthcare service 
delivery. 
The State shall uphold the provision of quality healthcare to all citizens, recognizing it as 
a fundamental human right. This bill affirms the government's commitment to delivering 
equitable healthcare services without imposing financial burdens that may further 
impoverish indigent patients. The inclusion of free dialysis with adequate facilities and 
materials ensures broader accessibility to essential medical care, thereby reducing 
barriers to healthcare access and promoting the well-being of all, particularly the most 
vulnerable sectors of society. 
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL 
3    NKF Patient Education Team. (2 January 2023). Dialysis. https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/dialysis 
2   Philippine Society Of Nephrology Editors. (1 March 2024). Rising Incidence Of Chronic Kidney Disease 
In The Philippines Sparks Call For Kidney Health Awareness Subtitle: The Philippine Society Of 
Nephrology 
Urges 
Filipinos 
To 
Take 
Proactive 
Measures. 
https://psn.org.ph/2024/03/01/rising-incidence-of-chronic-kidney-disease-in-the-philippines-sparks-call-
for-kidney-health-awareness-subtitle-the-philippine-society-of-nephrology-urges-filipinos-to-take-proact
ive-measures/ 
1   Pajimna JAT, Orpilla GAL, Milan MJDC, Virtucio CTS, Pamatian JVM. Gaps and challenges in the 
provision of treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease: perspectives from the Philippines. 
Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2023 Aug 31;38:100889. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100889. PMID: 
37790082; PMCID: PMC10544423. 
July 17, 2025
10:08 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. 2058 
Introduced by  
Rep. Robert Nazal 
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 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 declared policy of the State to improve the delivery of health care services 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” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health;
B. “National 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. “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;
D. “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;


 
 
E.​ “Indigent Patient” refers to a patient who has no visible means of income, 
compensation, or financial assistance from his/her relatives to support his/her 
basic needs, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) 
 
SECTION 4. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Prevention and Health Promotion. 
 
All national, regional, and provincial government hospitals, and stand-alone dialysis 
facilities shall establish CKD prevention strategies and health promotion activities which 
shall include advocacy activities targeting relatives of dialysis patients who are at high 
risk in developing CKD themselves, the provision of instructional material on the 
common symptoms of kidney disease and regular conduct of educational activities such 
as healthy diet and lifestyle, utilization of regular tests to diagnose kidney disease, 
information on the most common causes of kidney failure, and advisories on the 
appropriate protocols for the diagnostic evaluation of possible kidney disease.  
 
Patients and their relatives shall be informed on the availability of the proper medicines 
from government health centers such as those for diabetes and hypertension, and the 
importance of the regular intake of medicines and monitoring of kidney function through 
regular laboratory testing and check-up by a qualified physician. All activities pertaining 
to the aforementioned programs shall be documented accordingly.  
 
SECTION 5. 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.  
 
This dialysis ward or unit shall be an integral part of the hospital's inpatient and 
outpatient services and must be equipped with a sufficient number of dialysis machines, 
as well as the requisite medical equipment, consumables, and supplies necessary to 
provide safe, effective, and quality hemodialysis treatment. The number of machines 
and staffing requirements shall be proportionate to the hospital’s authorized bed 
capacity, average patient volume, and service catchment area, subject to minimum 
standards as may be prescribed by the DOH. 
 
SECTION 6. Quality Standards of Dialysis Services. 
 
Hospitals and dialysis centers shall comply with safety and quality standards of dialysis 
or transplant services. 
 
The Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) of the Department of 
Health shall be responsible for the regulation, licensing, and monitoring of facility 


compliance, while the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall 
oversee compliance with benefit standards and service delivery as a condition for 
accreditation and reimbursement. 
 
SECTION 7. Free Dialysis Treatment to Indigent Patients.  
 
Dialysis treatment in all national, regional, and provincial government hospital shall be 
provided free of charge to indigent patients as defined in Section 3 (e) hereof. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
 
The Secretary shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the 
provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. 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 10. 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 11. Repealing Clause.  
 
All law, presidential decrees or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, 
administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby deemed repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity.  
 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in 
a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,