Baguio: The Cordillera Golfers Foundation, Inc. (CGFI) on Thursday turned over four units of dialysis machines to the Department of Health-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR), to be used in four DOH-run medical facilities in the region. "This initiative responds to the growing number of dialysis patients in our provinces. By increasing access to hemodialysis services in local hospitals, we aim to reduce the burden of travel, transportation costs, and other related expenses for patients and their families," Arnel Peil, CGFI president, said during the turnover rites at the DOH-Cordillera main office here.

According to Philippines News Agency, the beneficiaries of the dialysis machines are Dennis Molintas District Hospital in Bokod, Benguet; Flora District Hospital in Flora, Apayao; Bontoc General Hospital in Bontoc, Mountain Province; and Kalinga Provincial Hospital in Tabuk City, Kalinga. The dialysis machines were acquired through the proceeds of the 3rd CGFI Golf Tournament held in Baguio City last year.

"We hope to have more relevant support for the community. We are having the CGFI golf tournament again this April," Peil said. DOH-CAR director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan expressed gratitude to the private sector "for helping our local government units upgrade their equipment." She also urged the beneficiary hospitals to get a license from the Philippine Health Insurance System (Philhealth) so that the patients can avail of their benefits, which cover about 60 dialysis sessions.

Dr. Reynaldo Aranca, chief of the Hospital of Kalinga Provincial Hospital, remarked: "This is just one unit, but it will augment the limited units we have in catering to the patients suffering from chronic kidney disease." He added that they regularly receive additional enrollees not just from Tabuk City but also from Quezon, Isabela, and even from Mountain Province.