Western Pangasinan District Hospital Opens Long-Awaited Dialysis Center
ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan — After a monumental wait of 62 years, the Western Pangasinan District Hospital (WPDH) has finally inaugurated its very own dialysis center. This facility, which commenced operations last week, is a significant step forward in providing essential medical care to residents in the western region of Pangasinan.
Improving Access to Dialysis
The new dialysis center is equipped with 15 state-of-the-art dialysis machines, marking a substantial improvement in healthcare access. Previously, patients in the nearby towns had to travel for up to two hours to reach the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) in San Carlos City for their dialysis sessions.
“Now, we do not have to travel for two hours to the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital for my dialysis sessions,” shared Descebelle Ordoñez, a dialysis patient from Bani, reflecting on the convenience provided by the new facility.
Facility Details and Services
The Western Pangasinan District Hospital, along with the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, is one of 14 hospitals managed by the provincial government. According to Dr. Ma. Teresa Sanchez, the chief of WPDH, the center will offer free dialysis treatments to patients. In addition, financial assistance via the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program is available for individuals who cannot afford the full treatment costs through health insurance.
Dr. Raquel Ogoy, head of the Provincial Hospital Management Services Office, highlighted a recent development from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). Circular 2024-0014, issued in July 2023, now includes an annual allowance for 156 hemodialysis sessions as part of PhilHealth’s expanded benefits package. This plan covers beneficiaries diagnosed with chronic kidney disease Stage 5 (CKD5) who are registered in the PhilHealth Dialysis Database. The services included are free medications, laboratory tests, medical supplies, and administrative assistance.
Supporting Dialysis Patients
The newly opened center serves 29 registered patients, with 11 undergoing regular treatment. This local provision of care has the potential to alleviate the burden on family members and reduce transportation costs for patients. Moreover, it ensures that all PhilHealth beneficiaries with CKD5 undergoing hemodialysis experience no out-of-pocket expenses for these essential services.
Staff Training and Modernization
Preparations for the center’s opening on January 13 were extensive. Over 50 medical and allied professionals from 14 government hospitals underwent intensive training in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. This investment in personnel training is crucial for ensuring high-quality medical care at the new facility.
The establishment of dialysis centers in district and community hospitals across Pangasinan represents an integral part of the provincial government’s hospital modernization program. These initiatives are expected to improve healthcare accessibility and reduce urban-rural health disparities.
Conclusion
The opening of the Western Pangasinan District Hospital’s dialysis center is a welcome development for healthcare in Pangasinan. It marks a significant improvement in access to essential medical care, especially for patients in the western part of the province. This new facility not only reduces travel and time burdens but also ensures that local communities can receive high-quality treatment close to home.
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