CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Acting Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda said the Pampanga provincial government would sign a memorandum of agreement with the Mexico local government to enhance the latter’s hemodialysis center.
“I will push for a MOA so we can provide subsidy to kidney failure patients and to help get additional dialysis machines for the center,” he said at the blessing of the center on Thursday.
Pineda praised Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang, saying that dialysis is a “direct form of help”to renal patients.
Tumang said he and the Sangguniang Bayan were able to put up the center by using the P32 million in taxes paid by the SM Group of Companies as start up funds.
Worth more or less P70 million, the center has 24 dialysis machines and an adequate number of doctors, nurses and technicians.
The center is located next to the Mexico Community Hospital in Barangay San Carlos, a five-minute ride from the town hall.
Mexico residents who are enrolled in PhilHealth can get 90 sessions of dialysis at the center. The state health insurance firm pays the center P2,400 for every session, an amount that includes fees to professionals.
Tumang said Mexico residents get free dialyzer, which is not covered by PhilHealth. They pay P300 or half the cost of a drug that improves hemoglobin level.
Non-residents pay the dialyzer and the hemoglobin improving injectable.
Walter Bacareza, PhilHealth director in Central Luzon, said Pampanga excels in health services and the Mexico hemodialysis center serves as a model for local governments.