Free Kidney Screening Is Available in Quezon City This July

(SPOT.ph) Dialysis centers are not exactly hard to spot these days—a sign of how serious kidney disease has become for many Filipinos. But in Quezon City, the goal is to catch the problem much, much earlier before patients end up in one.

The Quezon City Government is rolling out free early kidney screening to detect cases of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). It will use the Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR) test, a 30-minute test that measures elevated protein levels in urine. Both residents and non-residents may get tested as long as they are 18 years old and above.

According to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, dialysis treatment can cost up to P1 million even with government financial assistance, so why not avail of this service at no cost, even if you don't think you're at risk for CKD? The Department of Health (DOH) said CKD can go from early asymptomatic stages to severe kidney complications. By the time it becomes more serious, patients may already need more intensive treatment, making early detection especially important.

Also read: You Can Get a Free Kidney Screening at These Malls in Metro Manila

From July 6 to 10, free UACR testing will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the QC Health Department at the Quezon City Hall. Excluding registration, vital signs, patient history, and consultation, the UACR test reading itself is expected to take only five minutes.

You will only have to bring your PhilHealth ID and any government ID (QCitizen ID if you are a resident of Quezon City). Additionally, you can bring medical records, old prescriptions, and previous laboratory test results to prevent contraindications.

Quezon City Medical Officer III Dr. Marlon Joselito Roberto F. Molano told SPOT.ph that everyone who comes within the testing hours will be accommodated: “Minsan tinatanggap na lang talaga namin kasi sayang ang punta nila. Ang tinitignan namin ‘yung capacity ng machine (up to 300 patients).”

There are also barangay-based screenings lined up throughout July, making it easier to get tested at a location closer to you:

District 1
July 2 – Brgy. Siena
July 4 – Brgy. Sta. Cruz
July 6 – Brgy. Sto. Domingo
July 8 – Brgy. Project 6
July 10 – Brgy. Talayan
July 11 – Brgy. Del Monte
July 16 – Brgy. West Triangle
July 18 – Brgy. Sto. Cristo
July 20 – Brgy. Paraiso

District 2
July 10 – Brgy. Holy Spirit
July 25 – Brgy. Bagong Silangan

District 5
Last week of July – Robinsons Novaliches

So far, the program has so far tested around 4,000 individuals across 21 barangays, including more than 200 residents during pilot testing in Barangay Payatas. Molano added that the six districts in Quezon City will each receive a UACR machine, with schedules to be published soon by the Quezon City Health Department.

All free screenings are being conducted using seven UACR machines donated by Boehringer Ingelheim. The Quezon City Government said the program is part of its effort to help reduce the estimated number of dialysis patients in the country, which could reach 150,000 by 2030.

In 2026, the World Health Organization reported that an estimated 674 million people have CKD worldwide, with many cases affecting people from low- and middle-income backgrounds.

“The disease already affects those as young as 10 years old. Sa murang edad, kailangan na nila ng mahabang gamutan. Growing evidence shows how crucial early intervention is in addressing the silent killer, that is, CKD,” Belmonte said during the program launch.

Also read: How to Get Free Cervical Cancer Screening in Quezon City

UPDATED (July 7, 2026): This article has been updated to include more information from Quezon City Medical Officer III Dr. Marlon Joselito Roberto F. Molano.