Dialysis center in Pangasinan now open

By Jun Velasco

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan -- The first dialysis center in the province is now operational, a project that symbolizes US-Philippine friendship.

In the first few days of operations, the center recently opened with 68 patients suffering from kidney ailment treated for free.

“It’s a dream fulfilled for the indigents who cannot afford the prohibitive cost of renal treatment,” said Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. during turnover rites attended by officials of the US-based Bridge of Life-Da Vita Medical Missions which donated 15 dialysis machines.

Located in the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital here, the center was named after the late San Carlos City Mayor Julian V. Resuello who had dreamed of having such a facility before he was shot dead by assassins some three years ago.

The construction of the building, costing some P15 million, was funded by the San Carlos City government headed by Mayor Jullier Resuello, son of the slain mayor.

“For the first time the province has partnered with a foreign private organization that gifted us with 15 brand-new dialysis machines, technical assistance, and plus a steady supply of medicines for free in its first six months of operation,” Governor Espino said.

Kidney ailment is the 7th leading cause of death in the country. In his opening remarks, Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan said the “dream project started in an e-mail item last year about the advocacy of Da Vita Medical Missions for quality healthcare in third-world communities.”

The e-mail exchange, Baraan said, was followed by a series of long-distance calls with the Bridge of Life Executive Director Ginny Mello who later worked to have the joint project realized.
“It was purely trust, no memo of agreement,” Baraan said.