GUAGUA, Pampanga – The Pampanga Provincial Dialysis Center 1 has officially opened its doors to provide free dialysis treatment to indigent patients in the 2nd District of Pampanga, following its inauguration and blessing ceremony held on Friday, April 11.
Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda led the ceremony, joined by Alejandro Tengco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The newly inaugurated facility is a realization of Governor Pineda’s vision in 2019, made possible through the collaboration of partner agencies including PAGCOR and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Nabuo po itong dialysis center dahil po sa mga pasyente po na nakakausap at lumalapit sa atin. Sa araw-araw po na nagdidialysis sila, hirap na hirap na po silang maghanap ng pamasahe, pagkain, at minsan pagdating sa treatment may extra charges pa, kaya yun po ang binigyan natin ng solusyon. Bukod sa facility, magbibigay din po tayo ng medical assistance para sa mga maintenance ng mga pasyante,” he explained.
PAGCOR allocated PHP 52.9 million for the procurement of 43 dialysis machines and a Water Reverse Osmosis System, while the DPWH contributed PHP 29.3 million for the construction of the center’s building. Operations of the facility will be managed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Provincial Government of Pampangaand B. Braun Philippines.
According to the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the center can accommodate over 120 patients daily in two shifts from Monday to Saturday. Each patient may avail of up to 156 dialysis sessions annually, with assistance from PhilHealth.
PAGCOR also expressed its continued support for other upcoming healthcare facilities in the province, including the Multi-Specialty Hospital in Clark.
“Nasa tamang direksyon, sinabi ko nga kay Nanay kanina eh kung ang bawat probinsya lang ay magkakaroon ng ganitong uri ng proyekto wala pong duda na marami po sa ating mga kababayan na tunay na matutulungan natin.” he said.
In addition to the Guagua Dialysis Center, the Provincial Government is set to open four more dialysis centers, including those in the City of San Fernando and Apalit, the latter of which is scheduled to be inaugurated next month.
As of the latest PHO records, the province is currently assisting 3,494 dialysis patients across Pampanga.
Also present during the inauguration were Dir. Corazon I. Flores, Regional Director of the Department of Health (DOH) – Central Luzon Center for Health and Development, Region III; Dir. Venus F. Rebuldela, Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Region III; Mr. Henry P. Almanon, Regional Vice President of PhilHealth – Region III; and Dir. Monserrat S. Chichioco, Medical Center Chief of the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH). They were joined by 4th District Congresswoman Anna York Bondoc, Guagua Mayor Anthony Joseph Torres, Sasmuan Mayor Catalina Cabrera, Board Members Fritzie David Dizon, Sajid Eusoof, and Atty. Claire Lim, Special Assistant to the Governor Angelina Blanco, and PHO Officer-in-Charge Dr. Dax Tidula.
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DIALYSIS. Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, and Alejandro Tengco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) lead inauguration and blessing of the Pampanga Provincial Dialysis Center 1 on Friday, April 11. (Photos by Daniel Ombina/ Pampanga PIO)
