Eleven of the 29 listed patients of the Western Pangasinan District Hospital’s (WPDH) dialysis center have been availing of its service since it opened on Jan. 13.

Prior to availing the hemodialysis service at WPDH, Descebelle Ordoñez, a resident of Bani town, goes to Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City, some two hours away, for free service.

“Ngayon malapit na ang byahe (Now the travel is near),” she said, saying her travel time was reduced to 30 minutes.

Hospital chief Dr. Teresa Sanchez, in an interview Monday, said the dialysis center has 15 dialysis machines.

“They can use their Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) (account) here and the ‘no balance billing’ shall be applied so they will have no out-of-the-pocket expenses. In cases where payment cannot be addressed by the patient’s health insurance, the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patient (MAIFIP) can be availed of to shoulder the cost of treatment,” she said.

About 50 medical and allied professionals from the 14 provincial government-run hospitals underwent rigid training on Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) to prepare them for the operation of the dialysis center.

Under PhilHealth policy, members who avail of hemodialysis (HD) package will enjoy free drugs and medicines, laboratory tests, supplies, and administrative and other fees. (PNA)