Advocacy to increase awareness on kidney transplantation, encourage organ donation launched
THE NUMBER of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the country needing a kidney transplant in order to survive is increasing tremendously. Unfortunately, the number of living and deceased kidney donors remains dismally low. In 2015, almost 14,000 patients with kidney disease started dialysis in the country. In the same year, only 475 Filipino patients (3.4 percent) received a kidney transplant.
To help address this problem, the Maria Corazon Torres Y Javier (MCTJ) Foundation, Kidney Foundation of the Philippines (KFP) and Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines (Kitap) have partnered with Novartis Healthcare Philippines to launch the Renal Gift Allowing Life for Others (Regalo) Organ Donation Advocacy. “Working Together in Love to Promote Life” is the campaign’s theme.
“The Department of Health lauds the Regalo Organ Donation Advocacy, which aims to increase awareness on kidney transplantation and encourage more Filipinos to give the gift of life,” said Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial.
“One Filipino develops chronic kidney failure every hour. Kidney diseases, especially ESRD, are the seventh leading cause of death among Filipinos, said Dr. Romina Danguilan, organizing committee head, Regalo Organ Donation Advocacy. “Only by substantially increasing the number of living and deceased kidney donors can we help save the lives of patients with ESRD needing kidney transplantation,” she added.
“Advances in diagnostic and highly specialized surgical techniques, immunosuppressive drugs and supportive medical care have greatly increased the success of kidney transplantation. Let us maximize these advances by working together to increase awareness on the lifesaving benefits of organ donation and kidney transplantation,” said Dr. Remedios Uri- arte, KFP executive director.
“Every year, more than 15,000 Filipinos develop kidney failure—that’s about 41 patients daily or about 2 patients every hour! Kidney donation is safe with no long-term harmful effect to life or health. Advances in de- ceased organ donation have made it a preferred alternative to lifelong dialysis. Let us give of our self so that others may live. Sign your organ donation card and keep that card with you at all times,” said Dr. Enrique Ona, president and chair of the MCTJ Foundation and KFP.
“Novartis places top priority on developing medicines to protect, extend and promote quality lives among organ transplant recipients. We are honored to be part of an advocacy committed to ensuring the free, uncoerced and informed consent of both the organ donor and recipient. Let us be heroes for life by giving the gift of life,” said Christine Fajardo, corporate
affairs head, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.