Raphael Reyes/Rappler
The issue is not a choice between prevention and dialysis. The central issue is why public financing becomes so much more generous after kidneys fail than before they do.
Chronic kidney disease is a growing health issue in the Philippines, largely driven by high consumption of salt and sugar, leading to hypertension and diabetes.
The government spends significantly on dialysis treatment after kidneys fail, but much less on preventive measures, despite the cost-effectiveness of early detection and intervention.
CKD is often asymptomatic until advanced stages, highlighting the importance of early screening and prevention to reduce the emotional and financial burden on patients and the healthcare system.
