Quezon City 1st District Rep. Juan Carlo “Arjo” Atayde on Tuesday launched the first free dialysis center in Bgy. Bahay Toro, Quezon City, a project that, he said, is to offer “life-saving treatment to those who need it the most—our underprivileged kababayans who are battling kidney disease.”
Atayde explained that “kidney disease is a major public health issue in our country. Sa katunayan, ang sakit sa bato ay isa sa mga pangunahing problemang pangkalusugan sa ating bansa.”
“Ayon sa National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), ang sakit sa bato ay pang-pitong nangungunang sanhi ng kamatayan sa Pilipinas. Humigit-kumulang 35,000 na mga Pilipino ang sumasailalim sa dialysis kada taon, at patuloy pang tumataas ang bilang na ito.”
The lawmaker lamented that because of the high costs of treatment, “many of our sick countrymen are left struggling, forced to choose between their health and their livelihood. Buhay, o hanapbuhay.”
“Marami sa atin ay may kakilala—isang kamag-anak, kaibigan, o kapitbahay—na dumaan o kasalukuyang dumadaan sa hirap ng pagkakaroon ng sakit sa bato. Para sa iba, ito’y matagal nang laban, at para sa iba naman, ito’y biglang dumating at lubos na nakakaapekto sa kanilang buhay,” said Atayde.
The facility contains 20 dialysis machines from Japan that could serve up to 60 patients per day.
He pointed out “isang bagay lang ang tiyak: ang sakit sa bato ay hindi lamang pisikal na pahirap kundi isa ring pasaning pinansyal.”
“Isipin niyo ang sakit na gustong-gusto mong gumaling, pero hindi mo kayang tustusan ang paggamot na maaaring magligtas sa iyong buhay. Maraming Pilipino ang araw-araw ay nahaharap sa ganitong kalunos-lunos na sitwasyon.”
At the launch of center, Atayde acknowledged the support of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and emphasized that the collaboration between the local government and members of Congress helped make the center a reality.
Atayde addressed his constituents in the first district and said that it is his mission “to provide swift action—Aksyon Agad—on the issues that affect our everyday lives. Aksyon agad sa mga isyung nakakaapekto sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay.”
“Access to proper healthcare should not be a privilege for a few but a right for all. Hindi dapat para sa iilan, kundi para sa lahat. This dialysis center is a product of that promise. Here, we are offering not just treatment, but hope. Ang libreng dialysis ay malaking bagay para sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan. Ito ay nagbibigay ng pagkakataong mabuhay nang mas mahaba at mas malusog nang hindi na pinoproblema ang mahal na bayarin sa ospital.”
Atayde said the completion of the first AA Dialysis Center was also made possible through the help of the National Government led by President Bongbong Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“Sa tulong po ng ating national government, nina President Bongbong Marcos at Speaker Martin Romualdez, nagpababa po ng pondo dito hindi lang po sa distrito uno kundi sa buong Quezon City so definitely po this will be running all throughout the year,” Atayde said.
Atayde added that they aim to add at least three more Aksyon Agad dialysis centers in his district and noted the importance of public and private partnership in the creation of such centers.
