ASEAN’s biggest dialysis hub set
PHOTO courtesy of PCO
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the country’s largest dialysis center — and what he described as the biggest in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — will be operational before his term ends in 2028, expanding access to treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Marcos announced an inspection of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute’s Legacy Building along East Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City. According to the President, 11 percent of the country’s population suffers from CKD, which is why the government has established a bigger and updated CKD center.
11% has kidney disease
“There is a tremendous need among our population because statistics show that more than 11 percent of Filipinos have chronic kidney disease. That is why we must strengthen and expand our services for CKD treatment. Once completed, this will become the largest dialysis center in Southeast Asia,” he said.
The NKTI Legacy Building is a 13-story complex designed to house 200 hemodialysis machines, operating rooms, and a Malasakit Center.
“This facility is for patients with chronic kidney disease. At the same time, we have enhanced the PhilHealth benefits available to them. Beyond building this facility, we continue to expand our support by providing greater benefits to CKD patients,” the President said.
Currently, PhilHealth has increased the coverage of dialysis from 90 to 156 sessions.
On the other hand, Philhealth’s benefit package for CKD has already increased from P4,000 to P6,350 per session.
“The Z Benefit Package rate for peritoneal dialysis has also been increased. It now provides up to P389,640 to P500,140 per year for adult patients, and from P510,000 up to P1.2 million annually for pediatric patients,” according to the President.
To date, the Philippines has 904 accredited dialysis centers.
Construction of the first phase of the legacy building was completed last July 2025, covering work from the ground to the fourth floor and establishing the foundation and structural framework.