COTABATO CITY, Philippines โ For the first time, kidney patients in Lanao del Sur no longer have to travel far or spend thousands for treatment. A newly opened dialysis center in Malabang town now provides life-saving servicesโfor free.
The facility, located inside the Dr. Serapio Montaรฑer, Jr. Memorial Hospital, is the first of its kind in the province. It began operations on April 30 and has since served patients from across Lanao del Sur at no cost, according to radio reports over the weekend.
Dr. Hanipah Madale-Montaner managed the hospital in Malabang, a coastal town in the province’s second district.
Bangsamoro health minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. said the center has 10 modern dialysis machines, all funded by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government.
โThis facility is for everyoneโMuslim or Christianโwho needs dialysis treatment in Lanao del Sur. And itโs absolutely free,โ Sinolinding, also a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, told reporters on Friday, May 10.
Dialysis is a Lifeline
Dialysis is a medical treatment for patients suffering from kidney failure. It removes waste, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally.
In the Philippines, where the number of chronic kidney disease cases is rising, dialysis is a lifelineโbut often an expensive one. A single session can cost between โฑ2,500 to โฑ4,000, and patients typically need it two to three times a week.
Access to dialysis care in rural provinces like Lanao del Sur is limited or non-existent, forcing families to travel long distances to urban centersโan option many cannot afford.
The project also includes the development of a public health unit, an acute stroke unit, and a microbiology sectionโinitiatives supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Sinolinding expressed gratitude to the Office of the Chief Minister for backing the health ministryโs push to expand access to specialized care in underserved provinces.
Dr. Allen Minalang, head of the Integrated Provincial Health Office in Lanao del Sur, said the center marks a turning point for healthcare in the region.
โThis is a big boost to our community health missions,โ Minalang said.
