The number of patients undergoing dialysis continues to grow each year, driven largely by expanded government support that has made the life-saving treatment more accessible, a health official said.
Dr. Maria Theresa Bad-ang, head of the Kidney and Transplant Institute at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), explained that dialysis cases have been increasing by 10% to 15% annually. However, she clarified that this rise does not necessarily indicate a surge in kidney disease, but rather improved access to care.
According to Bad-ang, the expansion of PhilHealth coverage has played a major role. The state insurer now provides up to P6,350 per dialysis session, covering as many as 154 sessions per year—equivalent to three treatments per week. This is a significant increase from the previous benefit of 90 sessions at P3,500 each.
With dialysis now largely covered, more patients are choosing to undergo regular treatment, leading to better quality of life. She noted that dialysis patients represent only a small fraction of those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which remains largely underdiagnosed.
Despite these gains, Bad-ang raised concern over the low number of patients opting for kidney transplants, which she described as a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.
She pointed out that dialysis can cost around P950,000 annually, while a kidney transplant costs about P600,000 under PhilHealth’s package. In addition, transplant patients receive up to P550,000 in the first year and P450,000 in the second year to cover post-surgery care, including maintenance medications.
Bad-ang emphasized that transplant recipients generally experience better survival rates and improved productivity compared to those on long-term dialysis, prompting health professionals to strongly advocate for the procedure.
She also highlighted that transplant coverage is provided equally to all patients, regardless of financial status, and now includes support for costly immunosuppressive drugs.
However, a major challenge remains the limited number of organ donors. Without a suitable donor, patients with kidney failure have no choice but to continue dialysis.
Bad-ang encouraged the public to consider organ donation and to make their intentions known to their families, noting that donated organs can save lives if made available in time.
She added that fear, existing health conditions such as diabetes, and smaller family sizes contribute to the shortage of donors. Ideally, donors come from within the family, but they must be healthy, compatible, and willing to donate.
“Transplantation is not possible without a donor,” she stressed, underscoring the need for greater awareness and participation in organ donation.
