QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) is engaging in discussions with Congress and the Department of Health (DOH) to propose amendments to the Organ Donation Act (Republic Act 7170) and other related policies, aiming to increase organ donation rates in the country. During a weekly news forum, NKTI's chief transplant coordinator, Peter Paul Plegaria, highlighted the ongoing efforts to revise legislation and policy frameworks to encourage more potential donors to come forward.
According to Philippines News Agency, despite advancements in digitalization to promote organ donation, the Philippines continues to see a disappointingly low number of donors. The current law prohibits the sale of organs, emphasizing donation as an altruistic act. The NKTI is actively consulting with legislative and health authorities to explore possible legal adjustments that would facilitate an increase in organ donations while adhering to ethical standards.
NKTI Public Health Unit head Dr. Maria Angeles Marbella pointed out a significant rise in hemodialysis patients, with an increase of 8,000 cases from 2023, marking a roughly 15-percent incidence of new chronic kidney disease cases requiring renal replacement therapy. This uptick underscores the urgent need for more kidney transplants and the establishment of additional transplant centers across the country.
Currently, the Philippines has 38 transplant centers, with 11 operated by government hospitals and 27 by private institutions. Plegaria noted the geographical disparities in access to transplant facilities, with several regions, including Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, lacking such centers. The NKTI is working to equip more DOH-run hospitals to serve as kidney transplant centers to address this gap.
In an effort to bolster organ donation advocacy, the NKTI has introduced an Organ Donor Card initiative, which has registered 367 potential donors since its inception last year. Despite these efforts, the donation rate remains low, prompting a call for public support to enhance registration for the Organ Donor Card.
This collaborative initiative between the NKTI, Congress, and the DOH reflects a comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges associated with organ donation and transplantation in the Philippines, aiming to save more lives through increased donor registration and improved legal and policy frameworks.