We can save thousands of Filipinos with kidney ailments – Speaker Romualdez

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday said the government can save thousands of Filipinos suffering from kidney problems that have to undergo dialysis, which is not a cure but extends the patient’s life.

He made the statement during the groundbreaking of the biggest hemodialysis center in the country at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City.

Other members of the House of Representatives, including appropriations committee chairman Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin, officials of Quezon City led by Vice Mayor Gian Carlo G. Sotto, Department of Public Works and Highways Sec. Manuel M. Bonoan, Department of Health officials, and NKTI officers led by Executive Director Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete attended the ceremony.

“Today, we are not just building an edifice. We are laying the foundation for hope, modern healthcare, and better quality of life for millions of Filipinos suffering from kidney ailments,” the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives told his audience.

“Ang bawat dialysis machine na gagamitin dito ay katumbas ng buhay na maaring masagip, pamilyang magkakaroon ng pag-asa, at mga pangarap na maari pang matupad,” he said.

“Malaki ang magiging epekto ng proyektong ito sa buhay ng ordinaryong Pilipino. Hindi na nila kailangang bumiyahe ng malayo o kaya’y maghanap ng malaking halaga para lang makapagpagamot. Dito, sila’y magkakaroon ng access sa modernong pasilidad at de-kalidad na serbisyo para maibsan ang kanilang karamdaman,” he said.

Kidney ailments are among the top disease-killers of Filipinos. More than one million of the country’s population are believed to be suffering from such illnesses. They have to undergo dialysis until they find donors for a kidney transplant or their condition deteriorates.

Speaker Romualdez said the 13-story NKTI Hemodialysis Center is part of the Legacy Specialty Hospital Project of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.

He said NKTI is among specialty hospitals built during the first Marcos administration by then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, which also include Heart Center, Children’s Medical Center and Lung Center.

“Sinimulan po ito ng kanyang butihing ina…noong ‘70s at ngayo’y ipinagpapatuloy ng ating Pangulo para sa milyun-milyong Pilipino,”

he said.

“Ang Hemodialysis Legacy Building na ito ay patunay na patuloy ang misyon ni Pangulong Marcos, Jr. na bigyan ng de-kalidad na serbisyo ang bawat Pilipino sa larangan ng kalusugan at medisina. Maraming, maraming salamat po Mr. President!” he added.

He pointed out that the hemodialysis facility would also train health professionals.

“Bukod sa building at machines, magkakaroon din tayo ng training facilities na magtuturo at magpapalakas sa ating healthcare professionals, lalo na ‘yung mga taga-probinsya,” he said.

The House leader called the facility as the Mega Hemodialysis Legacy Building.

“Tinawag po nating MEGA dahil napag-alaman ko na this will be the biggest Hemodialysis facility in the Philippines! Once completed, this facility will house 200 dialysis machines. Sa kasalukuyan, ang Lungsod na Maynila ang may pinakamarami – meron silang 100 machines. Dodoblehin natin ‘yan ito dito sa NKTI!” he said.

“Ang proyektong ito’y mahalagang hakbang ‘di lamang para sa NKTI kundi para sa buong bansa. Bahagi ito ng ating patuloy na pagsisikap para mapabuti ang serbisyong pangkalusugan sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

He thanked NKTI officers and personnel for their dedication and tireless service to kidney patients and other Filipinos seeking health care at the hospital.

He also expressed his gratitude to the DPWH and the private sector, which have partnered through the government’s Public-Private Partnership Program to undertake NKTI’s hemodialysis center project.

“Ang tagumpay ng proyekto ay patunay na kapag nagtutulungan ang gobyerno at pribadong sektor, walang imposible,” he said.

Speaker Romualdez said aside from Legacy Specialty Hospitals, President Marcos has also launched the Legacy Food Security, which aims to help farmers and make available food products at low prices, and Legacy Housing, which would provide dwelling units to the poor at an affordable cost.

“Makakaasa kayo na buung-buo ang suporta namin sa House of Representatives sa three major pillars na ito – ang Legacy Specialty Hospitals, Legacy Food Security at Legacy Housing ng Pangulo. Titiyakin naming na may sapat na pondo ang mga proyektong ito,” he said. “Magkaisa po tayo sa patuloy na pag-abot ng mas mataas na antas ng serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa bawat Pilipino. Sama-sama, kaya nating makamit ang mas maliwanag at mas malusog na kinabukasan para sa ating bansa,” he said.