First gov’t-run dialysis center in Ilocos opens

DAGUPAN CITY — The first and only government-owned dialysis center in the Ilocos region will be inaugurated today at the Region 1 Medical Center (RIMC) here.

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Pangasinan Reps. Generoso Tulagan and Amado Espino Jr., of the third and second districts, respectively, and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, also a Pangasinense, will lead the blessing and inauguration of the dialysis center.

Dr. Jess Canto, RIMC director, said the center will be named De Venecia-Tulagan Dialysis Center Para sa Masa in recognition of the valuable support of the two congressmen in putting it up.

With the dialysis center in place, Pangasinenses and other patients from other provinces in Region 1 will pay only a flat rate of P2,500 for the dialyzing solution, while other fees will be given free.

Private hospitals charge as much as P12,000 per dialysis session. — Eva Visperas