Manila dialysis center gets major upgrade

Manila dialysis center gets major upgrade

In a bid to bring free and easier dialysis access closer to Manileño patients, the Flora V. Valisno De Siojo Dialysis Center at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) is getting a major upgrade.

In a statement following the signing of the partnership agreement with the City Government of Manila, Prime Dialysis Center Inc. (PDCI) declared its readiness to undertake the full rehabilitation and renovation of the Flora V. Valisno De Siojo Dialysis Center in Tondo, City of Manila.

"This facility will not just be a building. It will be a lifeline for hundreds of patients from District 1 and beyond, who need dialysis simply to see another day, and a place of healing and rehabilitation for those working their way back to strength," said PDCI Chief Executive Officer Dr. Gjay Ordinal.

Under the agreement, the facility is touted to be one of the largest free dialysis centers in the Philippines with 100 hemodialysis machines and a full rehabilitation facility.

Coupled with the current PhilHealth expanded dialysis coverage of 156 treatments, Ordinal said patients can now undergo dialysis three times a week.

"Access to dialysis should be available to every Filipino patient," pointed Ordinal.

On a personal note, the nephrologist said the project between the city government of Manila and PDCI is the fruit of their two-decade campaign against the twin barriers that have long defined kidney care in the Philippines.

He said the two structural causes behind the early mortality are expensive treatment due to insufficient government subsidy, and dialysis facilities that were out of reach for most patients.

"More than 20 years ago, I started in this industry as a young nephrologist with a huge frustration: too many of my patients could not survive," recalled Ordinal.

For his part, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso noted that the project is proof of the city government's commitment to sustained investment in public health infrastructure.

He vowed that the Manila City government will continue to invest in the healthcare services for its people.

"We are really trying to modernize, equip, and make it a more delightful facility. Hindi 'yung mema lang—may magawa lang o may masabi lang. We always wanted the best for our people," Domagoso said.

Prime Dialysis Center Inc. is a Philippine renal care provider that is operating 35 dialysis centers nationwide. The firm targets to expand access to high-quality hemodialysis in underserved and geographically isolated communities.