The Eastern Samar provincial government is pushing for the establishment of two hemodialysis centers outside the provincial capital, driven by increasing demand for dialysis treatment.

Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone said Tuesday that they are eyeing the establishment of new dialysis centers at the Albino Duran Memorial Hospital in Balangiga town and the Oras District Hospital in Oras town.

Balangiga town is located 127 km. south of the provincial capital, Borongan City, where the only government-owned dialysis center operates. Oras town is 86 km. north of Borongan.

“We will start the construction this year. We want this project done to cater to the needs of our patients, ease the financial burden of patients, and improve their quality of life,” Evardone told reporters.

The provincial government opened in 2022 its hemodialysis center at the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in Borongan City. The facility has been serving 141 dialysis patients since its opening.

While there are privately managed dialysis centers in Borongan City and Guiuan town, Evardone said this is still not enough, prompting other patients to travel two to four hours to seek treatment in Tacloban City.

Evardone said setting up the facility is one of the priority projects under his administration. Services are free, according to the governor.

The increasing number of dialysis patients in the Philippines is primarily driven by a rise in chronic kidney disease cases, particularly those linked to diabetes and hypertension, according to the Department of Health. (PNA)