(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art hemodialysis unit to better serve patients with end-stage renal disease.
The new facility, led by EVMC Chief Dr. Joseph Michael Jaro and hospital stakeholders, features 38 hemodialysis machines capable of treating up to 150 patients daily. It also offers peritoneal dialysis, providing additional support for indigent patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.
Dr. Ma. Alma Eclipse, chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and a nephrology specialist, emphasized that the facility operates under the government’s no-balance-billing policy, ensuring free services for qualified patients.
The unit operates through a unique lease-per-treatment arrangement with a private partner, who owns and maintains the equipment, ensuring optimal functionality.
According to the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), one Filipino develops renal failure every hour, making kidney disease the seventh leading cause of death nationwide.
This new EVMC facility is a significant step toward addressing the rising demand for kidney care in the region.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
