Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital (CSGH) has opened its new hemodialysis unit, the largest project in its recent healthcare expansion.
The unit, inaugurated on September 4, represents an important milestone for the municipality of Culion, said Dr. Arturo Cunanan Jr., the hospital’ medical center chief.
The hemodialysis unit is expected to provide life-saving treatment to patients suffering from kidney failure, who previously had to travel to Puerto Princesa or Manila for care.
Dr. Cunanan said the local availability of treatment is a critical improvement for residents of Culion and nearby areas, particularly those who could not afford the costly and exhausting trips for dialysis sessions.
He shared that the inspiration for the project came from a patient who lamented, “Nakakamatay ang maging mahirap,” after being unable to access dialysis in Culion.
The patient later died without receiving the necessary treatment. This experience motivated Dr. Cunanan to pursue the establishment of a dialysis unit in Culion, driven by his belief that “bawat buhay ay mahalaga.”
The new unit brings much-needed hope to patients across Northern Palawan, eliminating the burden of travel and providing more timely, accessible care.
Dr. Cunanan pointed out that the facility is proof to the principle of equal access to healthcare, regardless of socio-economic status.
“Dapat pantay-pantay tayong lahat na may karapatan na madugtungan at matugunan ang karaingan sa buhay,” he said during the opening ceremony.
As the first government-operated hemodialysis unit in Palawan, this development is seen as a major step in improving healthcare access in the Calamianes area.
Dr. Cunanan said the project not only improves healthcare at CSGH but also brings Culion to the forefront of medical care in Northern Palawan, symbolizing the hospital’s commitment to serving the community with excellence.
