Marcos directs DOH to tackle rising CKD cases

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Health to address the rising number of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) cases in the Philippines, including among children.

During his visit to the National Kidney Transplant Institute, Marcos highlighted the need for public awareness on healthy eating habits and reducing sugar intake to prevent diabetes, a common cause of CKD.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa reported that the DOH has been instructed to strengthen preventive programs against CKD and related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, with a focus on primary care prevention.

Herbosa emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes, especially among young people, noting that high sugar content in food is a significant factor contributing to CKD cases.

PhilHealth president Edwin Mercado confirmed that the agency has allocated around ?300 billion for its total benefit packages in 2025, which includes support for kidney transplant patients and dialysis services.