The Department of Health Regional Office 7 (DOH-7) officially turned over the newly constructed Balilihan Hemodialysis Building in a blessing and turnover ceremony on Dec. 9, 2025.
DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes led the event.
Balilihan Mayor Atty. Trisha Chatto called the building a major milestone for the town and a critical step toward more localized, accessible and affordable health care for Balilihan residents.
The mayor noted that while the structure is complete, it will become operational once medical equipment and personnel are in place to serve dialysis patients.
The facility addresses a growing public health need.
The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) reports that chronic kidney disease is the 7th leading cause of death in the Philippines.
An estimated one in ten Filipino adults, or over 7 million people, have some stage of chronic kidney disease, with thousands progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) annually.
Hemodialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for ESRD, filtering waste, salt and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys fail.
Access to local dialysis centers is vital; it reduces travel burden and cost, allows for consistent treatment, and helps manage life-threatening complications like fluid overload and toxin buildup.
Also attending were former congressman Atty. Edgar Migriño Chatto, Provincial Officer for Health Dr. Van Philip Baton, Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center Chief of Hospital Dr. Eno Tirol and municipal officials.
The local government of Balilihan thanked the DOH for its continued support and guidance in improving Balilihan’s health infrastructure.