Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 6010

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

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

Dialysis is the process of removing waste products from the blood and removing
excess fluid from the body. Patients undergoing dialysis suffers from End Stage Renal
Disease (ESRD), largely caused by chronic hypertension and diabetes.

In the Philippines, it is estimated that there are around 28,000 patients
undergoing dialysis treatment as of 2016. Kidney disease has also been identified as
‘one of the top 10 causes of death in the Philippines." It is also reported that the number
of dialysis patients have also been steadily increasing at 10% to 15% annually.

In 2014, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) paid a total
of Php4.7 Billion arising from 691,489 claims for dialysis treatment.2

Considering the large number of patients who need to undergo dialysis
treatment regularly, dialysis treatment centers should not only be accessible to these
patients, but should also be affordable.

‘ What are the Leading Causes of Mortality in the Philippines? DOH. Retrieved from:
http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1058 (date last accessed: July 9, 2019).

2 2015, June 26. PhilHealth Extends Dialysis Coverage to 90 Days. Retrieved from:
https ://www.philhealth.qov.ph/news/2015/extends_dialysis,htm! (date last accessed: July 9, 2019).



Unfortunately, a lot of kidney patients have to travel to nearby towns and cities
to be able to get treatment. This situation is further exacerbated by the cost of dialysis
treatments. Kidney patients normally has to undergo dialysis treatment two to three
times a week, with one treatment costing around Php2,500. This means that a kidney
patient has to spend around Php5,000 to Php7,500 per week to survive, not to mention
the cost of the maintenance medicines that the patient has to take. While the Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has increased its coverage from 45 to 90
dialysis treatments, some, if not all, patients still have to pay for the treatment sessions
outside of the 90 days.

Indeed, the accessibility of dialysis centers and the cost of treatments place a
great burden on kidney patients, on top of battling their condition.

This bill mandates the establishment of dialysis centers in national, provincial
and regional hospitals to ensure that all kidney patients can easily access these
centers for their treatment without travelling far. This bill also recognizes the financial
burden faced by dialysis patients and mandates that indigents shall be given free
treatments in these centers.

The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Sawiow, ye

HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA

IMINGOC. RIVERA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 6010

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It 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 in order 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, 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
(P1,000,000,000.00) 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, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or part thereof deemed inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It 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 in order 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, 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
(P1,000,000,000.00) 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, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or part thereof deemed inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the

Publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,