Dr. Maria Theresa Bad-ang, head of the Kidney and Transplant Institute of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), disclose that the number of patients undergoing dialysis continues to rise each year, but health experts say the increase reflects improved access to treatment rather than a surge in kidney disease cases.
Bad-ang said dialysis cases have been growing by 10% to 15% annually and she attributed this largely to expanded government support, particularly through PhilHealth.
She explained that PhilHealth has increased its dialysis coverage to P6,350 per session, allowing patients to avail of up to 154 sessions annually—equivalent to three sessions per week for an entire year. This is a significant jump from the previous 90 sessions at P3,500 per session.
“Every year gataas ug 10% to 15% ang number of naga dialysis. Pero ngayon dahil libre na ang dialysis dahil ang dialysis coverage now ang total niya ay P6,350 so ang patients free na sila ug dialysis. Gikan sa 90 sessions, 154 sessions na ang ma-cover and that is equivalent to 3 times a week for the entire year. Noon ang i-compare mo 90 sessions lang and P3,500 lang ang coverage ni PhilHealth. So mao na ang patients ngayon, musugot na nga magpa dialysis. Nagtaas ang amoang concentrate because libre na ang dialysis and that improves the quality of life. Abi nimo mitaas ang renal disease yun pala midaghan ang nag concentrate. And 10% lang ang makita nimo nga naga dialysis but and CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) is actually a tip of the iceberg lang sa mga naga dialysis,” Bad-ang said in an interview.
However, Bad-ang expressed concern that fewer patients are opting for kidney transplants, which she emphasized as a more cost-effective and sustainable treatment.
“The annual cost of dialysis is around P950,000, while a kidney transplant costs about P600,000 under the PhilHealth package. Ideally, transplant is cheaper and offers better outcomes,” she said.
Under current coverage, transplant patients receive up to P550,000 in the first year and P450,000 in the second year, including support for maintenance medicines.
“Transplant patients are more productive, and the survival rate is better compared to dialysis. That’s why we are really pushing for transplants,” Bad-ang stressed.
She noted that access to transplant benefits is the same regardless of a patient’s financial status.
“Whether you are rich or poor, the coverage is the same. For transplant patients, even expensive medicines for immune suppression are now supported, which is a big benefit we fought for,” she said.
She said one of the biggest challenges, however, remains the lack of organ donors.
“There is no transplant if there is no donor. If your kidneys fail and there’s no donor, you will have to rely on dialysis,” Bad-ang said.
She urged the public to consider organ donation and to communicate their wishes with their families.
“If you’re willing to donate your organs, inform your family. In case of death, your organs can still save lives if they are assessed in time,” she said.
Bad-ang added that fear, medical conditions such as diabetes, and smaller family sizes contribute to the shortage of donors.
She added that ideally, donors should come from within the family, but must be healthy, compatible, and willing.
“Your donor should be voluntary, healthy, and a match,” she said.
