House to probe plight of NKTI dialysis patients

MANILA, Philippines – The House committee on health is set to conduct an inquiry into reports that peritoneal dialysis patients can hardly access dialysis treatment and assistance at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).

The congressional investigation was prompted by House Resolution 1761 filed by Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna party-list group.

The panel summoned the officials of NKTI, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to shed light on the matter.

“The situation puts the lives of many 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 assistance. The patients feel that NKTI, instead of alleviating their suffering, is cashing in on their predicament,” he said.

The lawmaker said there are more than 23,000 patients undergoing dialysis treatment at the NKTI.

“Access to dialysis and financial assistance may spell the difference between life and death for many patients, thus Congress needs to investigate the matter to come up with legislative measures that will address the concerns and save the lives of these patients,” he said.

He said patients undergoing dialysis spend an average of P30,000 to P40,000 per month for a four-exchange per session per day on dialysis solution, medicine, food supplements and supplies.

He said patients who 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.

He said this covers supplies and accessories for 90 to 120 bags per month according to the PD 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 four exchanges a day, totaling P28,560 at P238 per bag at the NKTI.

He said the amount is not enough for a patient who needs six exchanges per day, or P42,480 for the needed 180 bags of solution.

Zarate said when patients avail themselves of the case rate under PhilHealth, they are required to get the solution from NKTI at P238 per bag, which is more expensive compared to other sources at P195 per bag. 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 letters from PCSO after a hospital social worker discovered a patient selling solutions solicited from PCSO funds.

He said the NKTI put on hold the implementation of PD first policy, and limited the bags issued to 13 bags per week for PD patients availing themselves of PhilHealth case rate package.

“Patients fear that the prolonged shortage may result in higher prices of PD solution, higher incidence of infections, or even deaths,” Zarate said.

“Worse, if the patients do not avail themselves of the case rate package of PhilHealth, they will not be given referral to PCSO at all,” he said.