Free dialysis center launched in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines – A free dialysis center was launched last Tuesday, October 8, at a barangay in Quezon City for underprivileged citizens who are battling kidney disease.

The Aksyon Agad Dialysis Center is located in Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City and will offer free treatments to citizens in need of kidney care.

Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde, who spearheaded the project, said that "kidney disease is a major public health issue in our country. Sa katunayan, ang sakit sa bato ay isa sa mga pangunahing problemang pangkalusugan sa ating bansa."

"Ayon sa National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), ang sakit sa bato ay pang-pitong nangungunang sanhi ng kamatayan sa Pilipinas. Humigit-kumulang 35,000 na mga Pilipino ang sumasailalim sa dialysis kada taon, at patuloy pang tumataas ang bilang na ito," Atayde said at the center’s launch. 

According to the lawmaker, because of the high cost of medical treatment, "many of our sick countrymen are left struggling, forced to choose between their health and their livelihood. Buhay, o hanapbuhay."

"Marami sa atin ay may kakilala — isang kamaganak, kaibigan, o kapitbahay — na dumaan o kasalukuyang dumadaan sa hirap ng pagkakaroon ng sakit sa bato. Para sa iba, ito’y matagal nang laban, at para sa iba naman, ito’y biglang dumating at lubos na nakakaapekto sa kanilang buhay," said Atayde.

The facility contains 20 dialysis machines from Japan that can serve up to 60 patients per day.

The dialysis center aims to offer accessible and free dialysis treatment using modernized and world-class equipment to residents as an initiative by the local government to curb the surge of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

STAR/Miguel De Guzman

"Isang bagay lang ang tiyak: ang sakit sa bato ay hindi lamang pisikal na pahirap kundi isa ring pasaning pinansyal," Atayde added.

"Isipin niyo ang sakit na gustong-gusto mong gumaling, pero hindi mo kayang tustusan ang paggamot na maaaring magligtas sa iyong buhay. Maraming Pilipino ang araw-araw ay nahaharap sa ganitong kalunos-lunos na sitwasyon."

Atayde likewise acknowledged the support of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and emphasized that the collaboration between the local government and members of Congress helped make the center a reality.

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Disclosure: Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is a shareholder of Philstar Global Corp., which operates digital news outlet Philstar.com. This article was produced following editorial guidelines.