ILOILO – Thousands of patients suffering from kidney disease in Iloilo province may soon find it easier to access life-saving treatment after the Iloilo Provincial Government launched a P200-million dialysis project that will establish centers in 13 province-run hospitals.
The project, implemented through a public-private partnership, will place dialysis facilities in all 12 district hospitals and the Iloilo Provincial Hospital, reducing the need for patients to travel to Iloilo City for treatment.
Provincial officials noted that around 50,000 patients in Iloilo are in need of renal care, underscoring the urgency of expanding dialysis services outside Iloilo City.
The initiative is expected to significantly ease the burden on dialysis patients in rural communities, many of whom currently travel long distances to seek treatment in the city.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the launching of the initiative on March 7 at the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town, joined by Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque and executives from Healthway Medical Network and Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc.
Defensor emphasized that the project demonstrates the value of collaboration between government and the private sector in improving healthcare services in the province.
“We need our partners in the private sector because that is the only way we can address our limitations in budget and in processes. We are very thankful with this modality. Our PPP with the Ayala Family is a way forward as this is, hopefully, the beginning of many partnerships to come,” Defensor said.
Healthway Medical Network president and chief executive officer Jet Peeters said the company will invest P200 million to build and operate the dialysis facilities, with the goal of expanding kidney care services across Iloilo.
“We are united in one purpose – and that is advancing the health and well-being and overcoming the challenges faced by the people of Iloilo with chronic kidney deficiencies…Our collective goal is to improve the patients’ quality of life. At Healthway, our patients are at the heart of what we do. We look forward to bringing kidney care to every community in this province,” Peeters said.
The rollout will be carried out in two phases, with seven dialysis centers to be established in the first phase and the remaining six to follow.
Defensor added that the successful implementation of the project could open the door to further collaborations with the private sector in specialized tertiary care, particularly in cancer treatment and cardiovascular health.
Once operational, the dialysis centers are expected to reduce the financial and logistical burden faced by patients who currently travel to the city several times a week for treatment./PN
