Free dialysis treatment for Cebuanos

CEBU, Philippines — Indigent coronavirus patients needing dialysis may avail of the free treatment at the newly-opened CCMC (Cebu City Medical Center) Dialysis Center.

The dialysis center sits beside the Cebu City Quarantine Center at the North Reclamation Area.

CCMC administrator Yvonne Cania said the facility “is the first in the country that is built from scratch,” thanks to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella said the dialysis center is a five-bed capacity facility.

Earlier this month, the Cebu City government also opened a dialysis center at SM Seaside City dedicated for non-COVID patients.

Both dialysis centers, Labella said, are open to all poor residents and non-residents alike.

The opening of the CCMC dialysis center came in very timely as the city is reporting alleged COVID transmission in a dialysis center.

Two patients were reportedly infected after visiting a laboratory/dialysis center.

According to a Philippine News Agency report, the coronavirus transmission in a dialysis center has also caused alarm among health officials in Region 8 (Easten Visayas).

The report said at least 10 dialysis patients caught the deadly virus in treatment centers, while 12 health care workers assigned in dialysis centers also contacted the virus from their workplaces.

Aside from that, five of the 16 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Eastern Visayas were dialysis patients, who were suffering from chronic kidney diseases.

The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention also just released interim guidelines for infection prevention and control recommendations for suspected or confirmed COVID patients.

It recommended that patients be “dialyzed separated from other patients by at least six feet and cared for by HCP (health care provider) using all recommended PPE (personal protective equipment) for SARS-CoV-2 until 14 days after their last exposure.”

In line with this, the Department of Health in Central Visayas also encouraged Cebuanos to donate blood to help out the dialysis patients and all those who need help.

“By giving blood, you are saving lives, not only for convalescent plasma but really for those who need it--the dialysis patients, patients undergoing operations, patients who are delivering their babies. Daghan kaayo kitang panginahanglanon sa dugo maong mangayo kog tabang kaniyong tanan,” said Dr. Mary Jane Loreche, DOH-7 chief pathologist. — KQD (FREEMAN)