The Northern Samar provincial government is eyeing a partnership with Tres Medica Inc., a private healthcare provider, to establish dialysis centers in the province.
Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO), on Monday said they shifted their focus to the healthcare sector, discussing possible partnerships for bringing their services to the province.
“With this partnership, the province of Northern Samar can further expand the distribution of its medical services to match the demand of the populace. By partnering with the private sector in establishing more local dialysis centers, patients will no longer need to travel long distances or endure long queues to receive health services,” Berbon told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.
Initially, the partnership seeks to open three dialysis centers in the capital town of Catarman and the towns of Allen and Laoang.
Tres Medica Inc. offers quality and cost-effective healthcare services and supplies in the market, with three dialysis centers — the One Dialysis Center in Cainta, Rizal; the Marikina Dialysis Center in Marikina City; and the Aksyon Agad Dialysis Center in Quezon City.
Each center hosts an average of 10 to 20 dialysis machines and caters to over 4,000 patients monthly.
The collaboration, according to Berbon, not only strengthens the province’s healthcare infrastructure but also creates employment opportunities for locals.
Healthcare is now one of PEDIPO’s investment priorities after the provincial government attracted major investments in renewable energy, agriculture, and tourism.
The Northern Samar Provincial Hospital launched its hemodialysis unit on Dec. 7, 2023. As of the first quarter of 2025, the facility serves over 65 patients, conducting more than 700 dialysis procedures, particularly benefitting those unable to afford private treatment.
There are also two privately managed dialysis centers in Catarman. There are no centers for dialysis patients outside the provincial capital. (PNA)
