Catanduanes opens first gov't hemodialysis center
2023-Feb-21 13:54
2024-Nov-29 02:29
Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua during the grand opening of the hemodialysis center. (Provincial Local Government of Catanduanes/Facebook)
Catanduanes opened its first-ever government-operated hemodialysis center at Eastern Bicol Medical Center after years of delay.
The hemodialysis center can cater up to 16 patients a day with 10 units available.
This raised the total number of hemodialysis machine in Catanduanes to 16, as Juan M. Alberto Memorial District Hospital (JMAMDH) in San Andres already had six.
The limited number of hemodialysis units has forced patients with heart problems and kidney failure to go to private hospitals, which would relatively costs them higher.
Some also travel to mainland Bicol for their dialysis.
Governor Joseph "Boboy" Cua said the pandemic caused the center's delayed opening and use.
Cua added that efforts from the provincial government, provincial council, Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC), and Las Piñas General Hospital, responsible for training the center's personnel, enabled the completion of the project.
The province aims to put a CT-Scan facility, heart station, and stroke support station to help underprivileged Catandunganons with sickness. (RN Virac)