Pagadian City LGU opens dialysis center

Mayor Samuel Co (in pink) during the inauguration of the LGU-owned Dialysis Center at the ground floor of the City Health Office in Pagadian City last March 21, 2025. | PHOTO: PHOTO: LEAH AGONOY / INQUIRER MINDANAO

PAGADIAN CITY — Charles Rosal II, 69, a resident of Barangay Kagawasan in this city, has been undergoing dialysis three times a week for four years.

He used to take advantage of the procedure at a private facility, where he paid P2,000 for every session before the procedure was covered by Philhealth.

On Friday, March 21, Rosal was the first patient of the newly opened dialysis center of the city government located on the ground floor of the City Health Office.

The procedure is being offered to patients who are city residents free of charge and with accompanying medicines.

Rosal said the city government-owned facility had been a relief for patients like him.  Before, he was able to afford the high cost of the dialysis procedure only because his children helped defray the cost.

Now city residents can avail of the procedure for free.

| PHOTO: LEAH AGONOY / INQUIRER MINDANAO

Dr. Debbylene Tan-Ildefonso, city health officer, said the local government initially procured two units of dialysis machines to service patients who live in the city.

The facility could cater to at least six patients daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We understand that dialysis is more than a treatment, it is an essential part of life for many individuals who need the procedure regularly,” Tan said.

Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co said it took almost two years for the city government to procure the equipment and complete all the requirements for a license to operate a dialysis center.

Dr. Joemer Balaoro, the head of the Dialysis Clinic, checks on patient Charles Rosal II before the dialysis session starts last March 21, 2025. | PHOTO: LEAH AGONOY / INQUIRER MINDANAO

While they can only cater to six patients a day now, the city government plans to increase its personnel at the facility and adjust the working hours to cater to more patients daily.

He explained that priorities would be given to city residents, who can avail of the sessions and medicines for free. “Basta sa Pagadian libre tanan (Free for all residents of Pagadian),” Co said.

The local government also expressed willingness to allocate additional budget if they felt the need for more machines, Co said.

Aside from the dialysis facility, the construction of an additional two-story building of the city’s infirmary in Barangay Danlugan is almost complete, said the mayor. The building will house laboratories that would service city residents for free.