By John Genesis A. Damgo
HEMODIALYSIS CENTER. House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (in hard hat) leads the lowering of a time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) Hemodialysis Center (Photo courtesy of Speaker Romualdez's office)
Declaring it to be another Marcos legacy, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez yesterday led the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) Hemodialysis Center.
During the ceremony, Romualdez said through this latest project, the government can save thousands of indigent Filipinos suffering from kidney problems who have to undergo dialysis.
“This was started by his (PBBM’s)revered mother in the ‘70s and is now being continued by our President for millions of Filipinos,” Romualdez said.
It could be recalled that the NKTI was among the specialty hospitals built during the first Marcos administration by then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, along with the Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and Lung Center of the Philippines.
“Today, we are not just building an edifice. We are laying the foundation for hope, modern healthcare, and better quality of life for millions of Filipinos suffering from kidney ailments,” he said as he noted that kidney ailments are among the top killer diseases in the country, with more than 1 million Filipinos believed to be suffering from such illnesses.
Kidney patients have to undergo dialysis until they find donors for a transplant, or their condition deteriorates.
“This project will have a big effect on the lives of ordinary Filipinos. They will not have to travel far anymore or look for large sums to seek treatment. Here, they will have access to modern facilities and quality service to ease their ailments,” Romualdez said.
On Tuesday, Romualdez also led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez Cancer Center at the Ospital ng Maynila (OM) compound, which is also part of the President’s legacy health care projects.
The HD Legacy Building, a 13-story edifice with a roof deck, will be built on a 2,900-square meter portion inside the NKTI compound along the Quezon City Elliptical Road.
The new facility will house and operate 200 state-of-the-art hemodialysis machines that will cater to indigent and private patients from Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
The facility will also accommodate renal patients under hemodialysis with complex medical conditions and those requiring emergency care.
It will serve as a training institution complete with such facilities as a skills laboratory, lecture rooms, and auditoriums for medical and allied health care workers, especially those coming from the provinces, capacitating them in developing their transplant and dialysis programs.
The HD Legacy Building will also come with a two-level parking area and is proposed to become a one-stop shop health care facility, admission and business area, operating room, laboratory, pharmacy, and commercial spaces.
Romualdez assured that the House would ensure funding for the three major pillars of Marcos’ legacy projects.
“Let us unite for the continuing efforts to provide a higher level of health services for every Filipino. Together, we can achieve a brighter and healthier future for the country,” he said.