Dialysis patients in CL stands at 1,136

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, July 3 (PIA) -- Latest figures from the Philippine Renal Disease Registry (PRDR) show that 1,136 of the 9,769 dialysis patients nationwide are from Central Luzon.

Central Luzon Organ Sharing Effort (CLOSE) head Joy Mallari said this during Thursday's press conference at the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office III.

She said Pampanga topped the list in the region with 434; followed by Bulacan, 202; Nueva Ecija, 178; Tarlac, 140; Bataan,100; Zambales, 81; and Aurora with one.

Most of the patients were male at 607; females numbered at 529.

On the age bracket, the 51-to-60 bracket topped with 282 patients, followed by 61-70 with 262, and the 71-80 at 166 patients.

“And 37 patients were kidney transplanted in Region 3 alone,” Mallari added.

With this, Mallari advised the public to prevent dialysis, "one must maintain a healthy diet, exercise, lessen the intake of alcohol, and do regular check-ups.”

Central Luzon has a total of 65 dialysis centers and two transplant centers which are Angeles University Foundation Medical Center located in Pampanga and Jecsons Medical Center in Tarlac.

PRDR is a joint three-year project of National Kidney and Transplant Institute - Renal Disease Control Program and the Philippine Society of Nephrology, which started in May 2000.

The objective of the research is to provide a national perspective ofkidney disease and its treatment. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)