Bangsamoro Parliament health committee holds public hearing on bill to establish regional dialysis center in Maguindanao del Norte

SULTAN KUDARAT, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE - The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Health Committee held a public hearing on Feb. 19 to discuss Parliament Bill No. 145, which seeks to establish a dialysis center at Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital in Pinaring, Sultan Kudarat.

The bill seeks to address the shortage of dialysis facilities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, where renal patients have long faced difficulty accessing affordable treatment.

It seeks to transform Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital into a regional dialysis center, equipping it with the necessary facilities and medical equipment to serve dialysis patients throughout the region.

Renal diseases are a leading cause of death in the Philippines, and BARMM has a significant number of patients who rely on chronic dialysis.

Member of the Parliament Romeo Sema, the principal author of the bill, said there are not enough medical facilities in the region to meet the growing demand, forcing patients to seek treatment in larger cities at great financial and logistical cost.

Dialysis treatments can cost between P9,000 and P13,500 per week, making it unaffordable for many in the region.

The proposed measure addresses this issue by capping service fees at no more than 110% of the supplier’s cost per treatment.

Indigent patients will not be charged any service fee, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations can access the care they need without the burden of cost.

Chief Dr. Ibrahim Pangato Jr. of Cotabato Sanitarium informed the committee that while the hospital had expanded its dialysis facility in 2024, it still struggles to meet patient demand.

He emphasized that establishing a dedicated dialysis center would help alleviate the burden.

During the hearing, stakeholders discussed how the bill would ensure that renal patients-particularly indigent ones-would receive affordable or free dialysis treatments.

Assistant Chief Nurse Training Akhrima Udaundo-Nones suggested expanding the definition of “indigent patients” to include those who initially afford treatment but are financially drained after several sessions.

Chair Hashemi Dilangalen expressed hope that the enactment of PB No. 145 will provide renal patients in the region with improved access to dialysis treatments. The Health Committee will continue to deliberate on the bill and refine its provisions. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)