Allen: The Northern Samar provincial government is set to establish a hemodialysis center in Allen town, aimed at alleviating the financial challenges faced by dialysis patients within the province.

According to Philippines News Agency, the facility will be one of three new dialysis centers that the provincial government plans to operate soon. This initiative is intended to meet the healthcare needs of people, particularly from the Balicuatro area or the northwestern part of the province. Another center is planned for the Laoang GB Tan Hospital to serve patients from the Pacific area of the province.

Currently, the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital is the sole public health facility providing dialysis services in Northern Samar. This situation has forced many patients to seek treatment in private facilities within the province, as well as in neighboring Calbayog City and Tacloban City, as stated by the provincial government in a recent statement.

The new center is expected to accommodate an average of 10 to 20 dialysis machines and serve over 4,000 patients monthly. Former governor and now 2nd District Representative Edwin Ongchuan led the groundbreaking ceremony for the hemodialysis center on Thursday at the Allen District Hospital grounds, where the facility will be constructed.

The project aligns with the new administration’s priority agenda under Governor Harris Ongchuan, which emphasizes health, capacity building, climate resilience, and opportunities, as per the provincial government. Earlier, the local government announced a collaboration with Tres Medica Inc., a private healthcare provider, to establish and expand dialysis centers in the province. The initial focus of this partnership will be in the capital town of Catarman and the towns of Allen and Laoang.

The Northern Samar Provincial Hospital launched its hemodialysis unit on December 7, 2023. As of the second quarter of 2025, the facility serves at least 76 patients, conducting around 760 dialysis procedures, particularly benefiting those unable to afford private treatment. Currently, Catarman hosts two privately managed dialysis centers, with no facilities available for dialysis patients outside the provincial capital.