LAOAG CITY - At least 12 indigent patients will be catered to daily once the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital opens its first dialysis center in November. The clinic will have six dialysis machines that will operate in two shifts from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., hospital officer-in-charge Dr. Arlene Ragasa said in a media interview Monday. 'This is a big help to our constituents as we will not be charging anything from them. The cost (hemodialysis sessions) will be covered by PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation),' she said. As of latest data, 20 patients have already made their reservations for dialysis. The hospital is waiting for the visit of Department of Health officials for the final validation before the issuance of a license to operate. Ragasa said the clinic will initially accommodate maintenance dialysis patients. A surgeon will also be hired to perform emergency dialysis for patients with life-threatening kidney failure. To date, there are five accredited freestanding dialy sis clinics in Ilocos Norte -- Ilocos Kidney Plus Dialysis Center in Laoag, Karmelli Clinic and Hospital in Pinili, Nephrology Center of Ilocos Norte Dialysis Inc. and Northern Renal Health Inc. in San Nicolas, and the Renal Bliss Dialysis Center in Bacarra. Source: Philippines News Agency