Manila opens country’s largest free dialysis facility

MANILA, Philippines – The local government of Manila has opened the Flora V. Valisno de Siojo Dialysis Center, dubbed as the country’s largest free dialysis facility.

According to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, the new center inside the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center has 91 dialysis machines, which may eventually be increased to 100 — matching the capabilities of the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI).

The center’s aim is to accommodate as many poor patients as possible and to deliver efficient but free service. Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, a doctor by profession, said that dialysis treatment costs around P2,200 per session, while prices may rocket up to P5,000 per session in private hospitals.

Moreno also said that naming the center after Flora V. Valisno de Siojo — former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s late grandmother — was a way to honor Lim for founding the said hospital and for his service in the city.

The move was enacted into a city ordinance under the helm of Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who heads the city council.

“This is just a small recognition for the 12 years of service Mayor Lim rendered to Manila. This Siojo Dialysis Center will be now known as the largest in the Philippines,” Moreno said in a statement.

“We enacted this because we want this (name) to last for life. If we want to heal the city, we have to give credit where it is due. It is only just,” he added.

Lim, who was with Moreno and Lacuna during the inauguration of the center and the blessing of four vehicles that could ferry dialysis patients, heaped praises to the two officials and the local government of Manila.

Moreno assured that he would try to at least match Lim’s achievements in the city.

“Don’t worry, the things that we should emulate, we would emulate. We would try to exceed your achievements but the minimum would be to at least match it,” Moreno added.