DEC.

27, 2014

NR # 3693B

House body to probe the plight of dialysis patients at the NKTI

Lawmakers called for a congressional inquiry into the problems preventing
peritoneal dialysis patients to access adequate dialysis solutions and assistance at the
National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).
Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate (Partylist, Bayan Muna) filed
House Resolution 1761 urging the House Committee on Health to summon the officials of
NKTI, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and PhilHealth to shed on the
matter.
The situation puts the lives of many peritoneal dialysis patients at risk and will
further compound their financial difficulties, Colmenares said.
Moreover, the additional limitations, restrictions and requirements imposed by
PhilHealth, PCSO and NKTI make it doubly difficult for patients to access needed
solutions and assistance. The patients feel that NKTI, instead of alleviating their suffering,
is cashing in on their predicament, Colmenares added.
Colmenares said there are more than 23,000 patients undergoing dialysis treatment
at the NKTI.
Access to dialysis solutions and financial assistance may spell the difference
between life and death for many peritoneal dialysis patients, thus, Congress need to
investigate the matter to come up with legislative measures that will address the concerns
and save the lives of many peritoneal dialysis patients, Colmenares said.
According to Colmenares, patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis spend an average
of P30,000 to P40,000 per month for a 4-exchange per sessions per day on dialysis
solution, medicines, food supplements, and supplies.
Colmenares said patients who directly file claim with PhilHealth get
reimbursements of P3,500 per claim, and because the amount is not enough to cover the
prescribed exchanges, many patients look for other sources including solicitations and
guarantee letters from members of congress and charitable institutions, including the
PCSO.
This covers supplies and accessories for 90 to 120 bags per month according to the
peritoneal dialysis prescription and will translate to P22,500 per month, barely enough for
the required number of solutions of 120 bags for a patient who undergoes 4 exchanges a
day, totaling P28,560 at P238 per bag rate at the NKTI, he said.

The amount is not enough for a patient who needs 6 exchanges per day, or P42,480
for the needed 180 bags of solution, Colmenares stressed.
Zarate said when patients avail of the case rate under PhilHealth, they are required
to get the solution from NKTI at P238 per bag, which is costlier compared to other
sources at P195 per bag, and that they are issued a receipt by NKTI for 36 bags but only
get 26 bags for half month treatment.
Zarate also cited a report that NKTI refused guarantee letter from PCSO after a
hospital social worker discovered a patient selling PD solutions solicited from PCSO
funds.
Zarate said the NKTI put on hold the implementation of PD first policy, and limit
the bags issued to 13 bags per week for PD patients availing of PhilHealth case rate
package.
Patients fear that the prolonged shortage may result to higher prices of PD
solution, higher incidence of infections, or even deaths, Zarate said.
Worse, if the patients do not avail of the case rate package of PhilHealth, they will
not be given referral to PCSO at all, Zarate added. (30) jc