APRIL 28, 2026 — More than 60 patients from different towns in Quezon Province benefited from a free Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula Caravan held on April 27 at the Quezon Provincial Hospital Network–Quezon Medical Center (QPHN–QMC). The medical mission forms part of the continuing healthcare initiatives of the Provincial Government of Quezon.

The AV fistula procedure is a vital medical access point used by patients undergoing regular dialysis treatment. It creates a safer and more reliable connection for hemodialysis, making it essential for individuals living with chronic kidney disease. For many patients, access to this procedure can be costly and difficult, especially in rural areas where specialized medical services are limited.

According to reports, the caravan aimed to assist Quezonians suffering from kidney disease by providing safe and quality treatment preparation. Prior to the event, an AV Fistula Screening Caravan was conducted on April 15 to identify patients in need of the procedure and to ensure proper evaluation before surgery.

The initiative was carried out under the provincial government’s continuing medical service programs led by Governor Angelina “Doktora Helen” Tan, whose administration has consistently focused on expanding healthcare access in Quezon.

Programs like this highlight an important issue in public health: many Filipinos do not lack the will to seek treatment—they lack the means to afford it. When life-saving procedures become free and accessible, it exposes a deeper truth that healthcare should not depend on income, geography, or privilege.

However, while caravans are commendable, they should not be the only solution. Temporary outreach missions help many, but long-term investment in hospitals, specialists, dialysis centers, and preventive kidney care is equally necessary.

The bigger question now is this: Should essential treatments like dialysis access still depend on special caravans, or should they already be a permanent right available to every patient anytime they need it?

(Larawan mula: Provincial Government of Quezon / Facebook)