The new dialysis center of the Urdaneta District Hospital (UDH) can accommodate 20 patients daily, including coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients with renal failure.

Provincial Health Office chief, Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman, said in an interview on Friday that the UDH inauguration is “very timely” amid the pandemic as they can attend to Covid-19 patients who also suffer from other diseases, such as hepatitis, as there is limited access to private and other dialysis facilities.

The UDH dialysis center, equipped with 10 high-quality apparatus, is the second of its kind in the province under the auspices of the provincial government.

It will operate as soon as the occupancy permit is granted, de Guzman said.

UDH officer-in-charge Dr. Arnulfo Olivar assured they have well-trained personnel, such as internal medicine doctors, four nurses, two technical personnel, and two administrative personnel.

The provincial government aims to add equipment and staff and accommodate more patients.

“This is a service to indigent or financially-challenged patients who need regular dialysis,” he said.

The first dialysis facility of the province is located at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City.

The blessing and inauguration of the facility on Wednesday was led by Fifth District Board Member Rosary Gracia Tababa, who represented Governor Amado Espino III. (PNA)