More affordable liver transplants now possible in PHL after NKTI, PCSO sign MOA

How much does it cost to have a liver transplant in the Philippines? 

 

About P3 to P4 million in some institutions, said Dr. Jade Jamias, chairman of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) Liver Center, on Tuesday. 

 

At NKTI, it only costs P1.5 to P2.5 million, she said. But through a recent agreement with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the cost will go down even further.

 

On Tuesday, the PCSO and NKTI signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to make liver transplantation more available and cost-effective in the country through financial assistance. 

Aside from the respective representatives of the institutions, Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona was also at the event to sign as a witness.  

 

Through the MOA, patients who need liver transplant will get financial aid from PCSO to pay for the hospitalization, medicines, and diagnostic procedures under the individual medical assistance program. 

 

Dr. Jose Dante Dator, NKTI executive director, said in his welcome remarks that liver disease is among the top causes of mortality in the country. This fact prompted the PCSO to partner with NKTI in battling the disease and reach out to more patients. 

 

To get financial assistance, patients should present complete and original documents to the PCSO, acting chairman and general manager Atty. Jose Ferdinand Roxas II said. Once all the necessary documents are submitted, the agency can start processing the financial aid. He even said that PCSO can release the money on the same day if the amount is below P50,000. 

 

The first multi-organ transplantation in the Philippines was performed in NKTI years ago, according to Dator. The third was performed recently after 14 years.

 

NKTI emphasized that the Philippines has the capacity to do complex surgeries, which require 15-member medical teams for an average of 12 hours. 

 

However, lack of financial assistance and organ donor shortage are just some of the challenges NKTI faced over the years that prevented them from performing more multiple organ and liver transplants. —KG, GMA News