EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO.
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'19 JUL 18 PI :28
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Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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.1 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.^
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.
1 What are the Leading Causes of Mortality in the Philippines? DON. Retrieved from: 
http://wvwv.doh.qov.ph/node/1058 (date last accessed: July 9, 2019).
2015, June 26. PhilHealth Extends Dialysis Coverage to 90 Days. Retrieved from: 
https://www.philhealth.qov.ph/news/2015/extends dialvsis.html (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.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 611
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■19 JIJL 18 PI :28
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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;
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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.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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


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for the subsistence of his family, as identified by the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD).
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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.
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Approved,
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