MANILA — The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) is encouraging Filipinos to be organ donors, calling it a "noble" and "altruistic" act.

7 million Filipinos have chronic kidney disease - expert

Dr. Rosemarie Liquete, NKTI executive director, said they conduct about 400 transplants annually, with 1 in 4 or 25 percent of donors coming from the deceased.

"Kabaligtaran iyan ng mga first world country, na mas marami sa kanila ang deceased donors. Ang karamihan sa atin ay living donors, iyon ang karamihan ay mga relative o emotionally-related living donors," she told ABS-CBN News at the sidelines of an NKTI press conference on Monday.

Peter Paul Plegaria, chief and transplant coordinator of NKTI's Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE), acknowledged the lack of donors over the years, with only 17 deceased donors in 2023 for 260 patients on the waiting list for kidney transplant.

Plegaria called on Filipinos to apply for NKTI's organ donor card, which will help medical personnel in their registry of those willing to donate their organs.

To date, HOPE has 1,900 donors.

He said one challenge is that people aren't aware of the organ donation program.

"We want to dispel the myths and misconception. This program is altruistic po, na talagang kusang-loob ang pagdo-donate ng organs. This is a gift para po sa mga kababayan natin na gustong makabalik sa normal na buhay nila," Plegaria said.

He also reminded organ donor card registrants to inform their families that they registered.

“At the end of the day, pamilya niyo pa rin po ang magdedesisyon kapag ido-donate ang organs niyo," he added.

Plegaria hopes that organ donation will be included in the curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). They are also tapping the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to help them in information dissemination, as some vehicular accident victims become organ donors.

The NKTI and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) have signed a memorandum to promote the said cause, along with other campaigns.

For Liquete, deceased donors are "modern day heroes”, adding that their remains are treated with respect when the organs are harvested at an operating room.

"Maganda rin ang pagkuha ng organs. Kasi kung hindi rin maganda ang pagkuha, hindi rin siya gagana sa kung sino man ang magiging recipient," she said.

'NOT FOR SALE'

Liquete stressed that living donors go through rigorous screening, which includes medical examination and clearance from the ethics committee.

"As long as maganda ang screening natin sa donors. At meron tayong donor advocate. Hindi lamang nephrology mo o transplant surgeon mo ang titingin sa mga laboratory mo. Meron pang another party para makita na tama at normal ang mga ibang test mo. Meron tayong ethics committee para masabi na ang pagdo-donate na ito ay ethical, kusang loob at hindi pinilit," she added.

'Bentahan ng bato': Sale of kidneys alarms NKTI

According to data on NKTI's website kidney transplant costs from P1.2 million to P1.6 million for "pay patients", and P800,000 to P1.2 million for "service/charity patients".

PhilHealth offers "less 600K to the cost of transplant (with criteria)".

Liquete reminded the public that these costs are for the procedure and operation—but donating one's kidney does not come with a fee and being paid to do so is illegal under the Organ Trafficking Law.

"Iyan ay bawal. Kailangan may altruism sa pagbibigay ng kidney, hindi iyong kaya ako nagbigay kasi ako ay babayaran," she said.

CARING FOR KIDNEYS

Liquete estimates over 200,000 patients go through dialysis, with an increase of 17 percent yearly.

She added that dialysis centers are being established "left and right", with about a thousand now nationwide.

Conditions of patients with kidney diseases range from Stage 1 to 5, with Stage 5 requiring dialysis and. eventually, transplant.

"Pero sabi namin sa pasyente, hindi ho pwedeng forever kayo nagdi-dialysis. Kailangan din ang dialysis ay bridge lamang towards transplantation," Liquete explained.

But it does not have to come to this—as experts share tips on preventing kidney diseases.

For one, Liquete recommends regular screening and check ups. She said a symptom of kidney disease include blood in one's urine, while hypertension and diabetes are the leading causes of renal failure.

Many children taking dialysis are 10 to 18 years old, the NKTI added.

Those younger than that usually have congenital defects that usually manifest in repeated urinary track infections.

Dr. Maria Angeles Marbella, head of NKTI's Public Health Unit, explained obese people are also at high risk for kidney diseases.

Marbella asked the public to eat more vegetables, fish, and chicken to prevent kidney diseases.

She also recommends preparing home-cooked meals instead of buying from fast food or getting take out and delivery food.

RELATED VIDEO