Mike Enriquez hopes to help Pinoys in need of kidney procedures: 'I should pay it forward'

Mike Enriquez is determined to help Filipinos in need of kidney procedures after his own successful kidney transplant.

During a press conference on Friday, the GMA News pillar said he had some realizations following his operation.

"'Pag pinagdaanan mo 'yung pinagdaanan ko, ma-re-realize mo how good God was to me, and how I should... pay it forward," he said.

Prior to his operation, Mike underwent dialysis three or four times a week. Eventually, after consultations with doctors, he opted to get a kidney transplant to "improve quality of life."

However, Mike said that life is a lot tougher on those who couldn't afford medical care.

"Maraming Pilipino na walang kalaban-laban simply because wala silang pera," he said.

"It breaks my heart when people come to me asking for help. It breaks my heart to know about dialysis patients, 'yung mga nangingitim. Kaya nangingitim 'yun kasi underdialyzed. Kulang sa dialysis. Bakit sila underdialyzed? Kasi walang pera," he added.

Mike said that he had a couple of friends — also transplant patients — who are thinking about forming an organization "whose advocacy is to make dialysis and kidney procedures affordable to Filipinos."

"So I will be meeting with our group and figure out ways and means of helping our brothers and sisters who need dialysis, who need kidney procedures but cannot have it because they cannot afford it," he said.

In December, Mike went on medical leave so he could undergo his kidney procedure and the mandatory three-month isolation period.

He is set to return as anchor for "24 Oras" and host for "Imbestigador" starting Monday. He will also return to his regular programs in "Super Radyo DZBB." —JCB, GMA News