The National Kidney and Transplant Institute's (NKTI) Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE) office lamented the significant shortage of organ donors and urged potential donors to assist those in need.
"Our estimate of dialysis patients is around two million, but we have only 260 plus individuals on the waiting list for organ donation. We encourage our dialysis patients, if they do not have a donor, to enlist in our waiting list for potential transplantation," said Peter Paul Plegaria, Chief Transplant Coordination of HOPE, during a press conference on Monday, February 19.
He emphasized the proactive approach of transplant coordinators in identifying potential donors within their designated areas, particularly focusing on Metro Manila, Region II (Cagayan Valley), Region III (Central Luzon), and Region IV-A and IV-B (Southern Luzon).
Plegaria added that HOPE diligently visits trauma hospitals within these zones to scout for potential donors.
He clarified that the organization's scope extends beyond kidney organs, encompassing all viable organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, corneas, and bones.
Moreover, encouraging wider participation, Plegaria urged Filipinos to consider becoming organ donors, emphasizing the transformative impact of transplantation on fellow countrymen's lives.
“For our patients with brain dead situations, we make sure naman na lahat ay nagawa na sa pasyente medically and surgically before natin siya ma-declare na brain dead at ‘pag napunta na sa point na ‘yun, dito na kami lumalapit sa pamilya ng mga pasyente na ito para i-offer ang organ donation,” said Plegaria.
He also hoped that organs from deceased individuals wouldn't just decay in the ground but could be used to save lives through transplantation.
"We encourage our fellow Filipinos to sign up for our organ donation code; at least with this pledge, we can determine if they wish to become donors," explained Plegaria.
NKTI partners with PIA to boost kidney health awareness, organ donation advocacy
In line with this, the NKTI’s Public Health Unit (PHU) and HOPE Office forged a significant collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Monday, February 19.
It said that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at ramping up information, education, and communication (IEC) efforts on kidney disease prevention and organ donation advocacy.
"NKTI is the nation's leader in the promotion of kidney health, and with this partnership with you [PIA], we will be able to reach out to the community," NKTI Executive Director Dr. Rosemarie Lequete said.
Under this collaboration, NKTI-PHU will spearhead awareness campaigns and educational initiatives at the grassroots level, while PIA will lend its expertise in developing IEC materials and facilitating publicity activities through various media channels, including TV and radio programs.
"NKTI shall not be confined in these walls. To align in the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, we need each other; we need your [PIA] expertise," she emphasized.
Moreover, one notable project on the horizon is the "Usapang Bato" webinar series, slated to cover a range of topics on disease prevention, organ donation, and transplantation.
It said that this initiative, set to launch monthly, will target health mobilizers within the community.
Moreover, leveraging PIA's capabilities, promotional materials such as videos and infographics will be disseminated across social media platforms and digital signage, ensuring wider accessibility to vital information.
"Today, let us all affirm our commitment to responsible dissemination of information to render excellent service to the public with compassion, honor, and integrity," Lequete said.