TWO party-list lawmakers have recently filed a resolution to probe the reported problems preventing peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients to access adequate dialysis solutions and assistance at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).
In House Resolution 1761, Party-list Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna urged the House Committee on Health to summon the officials of NKTI, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to shed light on the matter. The resolution said the situation puts the lives of many PD patients at risk and will aggravate their financial difficulties.
It added that the additional limitations, restrictions and requirements imposed by PhilHealth, PCSO and NKTI make it doubly difficult for patients to access needed solutions and assistance. The patients feel that NKTI, instead of alleviating their suffering, is cashing in on their predicament.
The measure said there are more than 23,000 patients undergoing dialysis treatment at the NKTI.
“Access to dialysis solutions and financial assistance may spell the difference between life and death for many peritoneal dialysis patients, thus, Congress need to investigate the matter to come up with legislative measures that will address the concerns and save the lives of many peritoneal dialysis patients,” the lawmakers said.
According to them, patients undergoing PD spend an average of P30,000 to P40,000 per month for a four-exchange per sessions per day on dialysis solution, medicines, food supplements and supplies.
The resolution said patients, who directly 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.
“This covers supplies and accessories for 90 to 120 bags per month according to the peritoneal dialysis 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 rate at the NKTI,” he said.
The legislators 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.
They said that, 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 costlier compared to other sources at P195 per bag, and that they are issued a receipt by NKTI for 36 bags but only get 26 bags for half-month treatment.
The resolution also cited a report that NKTI refused guarantee letters from PCSO after a hospital social worker discovered a patient selling PD solutions solicited from PCSO funds.
It said the NKTI had placed on hold the implementation of PD first policy, and limit the bags issued to 13 bags per week for PD patients availing of PhilHealth case rate package.
“Patients fear that the prolonged shortage may result to higher prices of PD solution, higher incidence of infections, or even deaths,” the resolution said.
“Worse, if the patients do not avail of the case rate package of PhilHealth, they will not be given referral to PCSO at all,” it added.