Updates: Committee on Hemodialysis

Updates: Committee on Hemodialysis

By: Maria Eliza R. Navarro, MD

Dr. Liza Mary P. Palencia took over from Dr. Ric Francisco as Chairperson of the Hemodialysis Committee last June 1, 2022 and one of her first tasks was to convene the team for face to face planning for the PSN HD Postgrad. This was held at the Discovery Suites on June 7, 2022 with program director Dr. Irmingarda Gueco.

Daily virtual meetings were held to do the final review and revisions of the DOH AO 2012-001: Rules and Regulations governing the Licensure and Regulation of Dialysis Facilities in the Philippines. Recommendations were then submitted to the Board of Trustees on June 27 for final review and approval.  The revised draft and recommendations of the DOH 2012-001 was personally delivered and submitted by Dr. Glenn Butuyan (Head, Cluster on Quality Assurance), Dr. Liza Mary Palencia (Chairperson, HD Committee) and  Dr. Sonny Antonio (Member, HD DOH sub-committee) to the Department of Health representatives led by Atty. Rodel Flores (Chief, Regulation & Licensing Division), Dr. Cristina Vergara (OIC, Quality Assurance & Monitoring  Division), and Dr. Maria Rosa Abad (OIC, Standards Development Division).

The committee held its planning for the fiscal year 2022-23 on July 3, 2022 at the Discovery Suites. After identifying the top six issues, the committee focused on key three areas of priority. An organizational chart and subcommittees were created to help address HD related DOH issues, PHIC issues, Colleague and PSN issues and other general issues. The HD Committee has been more inclusive by inviting local representatives from each chapter to be members of the PSN HD committee and thus expanded its membership. 

As of press time, PSN welcomed the latest update from PHIC . The PhilHealth Board of Directors has recently approved the coverage of hemodialysis sessions from a maximum of 90 sessions to 144 sessions which can be availed of until December 31, 2022.