Perpetual Help's Kidney Transplant Unit: Delivering continued hope, quality of life

MANILA, Philippines - Imagine your favorite beverage coming out of your system in the same form as you drank it. A scary scenario, isn’t it? Such is just a simple illustration of a less-than-usual occurrence with what can happen without the intervention of the kidneys.

The primary functions of the two healthy kidneys are to filter blood by removing drugs and toxins that may have been introduced in the body and eliminate waste products. They also regulate body water and other chemicals in the blood, as well as release vital hormones into it.

Its function as an integral organ is often overshadowed by its other counterparts, such as the heart, lungs, or perhaps the liver. Yet, their role in a normal functioning body should not be simply underestimated.

Statistics reveal that a huge number of Filipinos are currently going through end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or in an advanced phase of chronic kidney disease (CKD). They require transplantation, which is often considered the best treatment option for such patients.

A kidney transplant is an operation in which a patient (recipient), whose own kidneys have failed, receives a new one to take over the work of cleaning his/her blood.

Organ transplantation can come from two different sources, either from a deceased or a living donor. With advancement in medical research, results of transplantation are improving steadily.

Being a premier medical institution in the country, the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center (UPHDMC) recognizes the value of an ESRD patient to enjoy an extended quality of life.

The hospital instituted its Kidney Transplant Unit (KTU) to address the significant number of cases of ESRD or those currently undergoing hemodialysis every day and are potential candidates for kidney transplantation.

It is committed to address the unmet needs of more than 12,000 Filipinos afflicted with the condition every year nationwide.

Last Jan. 6, UPHDMC was granted a Certificate of Accreditation as a kidney transplant facility by the Department of Health.

And to celebrate these important milestones, UPHDMC formally opened the KTU through a simple ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony held recently.

The ceremony was attended by top executives of the Dalta Group of Companies led by Maj. Richard Antonio Tamayo and Dr. Daisy Tamayo, wife of UPHDMC founder Dr./Col. Antonio Tamayo; UPHDMC medical director Dr. Adrien Quidlat; engineer Susan Llorono, director of the KTU; employees and corporate partners.

The event was highlighted by the celebration of the Mass presided by the UPHDMC’s newly inducted chaplain, Fr. Jojo Sadia.

One of the thrusts of the KTU is provide the “best possible care” to kidney transplant patients and their families and “implement more efficient care (as well as) interactive, appropriate and relevant patient and family education programs.”

As the organ transplant center of choice in the southern part of the metropolis, the UPHDMC-KTU envisions to “achieve an effective and successful growth of the kidney transplant program” with higher patient- and donor-survival results.

Among the services available to ESRD patients aside from transplantation are nephrectomies (using laparoscopic technology involving micro-incisions and quicker surgical recovery), and deceased organ donorship (with the UPHDMC as the referring hospital).

In line with this, the UPHDMC has established OPTions, or the Organ Donation and Transplantation Program, for the retrieval and preservation of organs and tissues for clinical transplantation.

It adheres to the guidelines of the Philippine Organ Donation Program to ensure that all patients in the waiting list have a fair chance at receiving the organ they need regardless of age, gender, lifestyle or social status and location in the Philippines. Transplant coordinators are on-standby 24/7 to receive and respond to referrals.

With the UPHDMC-KTU, patients with advanced kidney diseases can look forward to an improved quality of life. Not only is the organ transplanted, but also the hope that renewed health is very much possible for them.

The UPHDMC Kidney Transplant Unit is located at Room 329 of the main building’s third floor extension. For inquiries, call (02) 874-8515 local 655 or visit the UPHDMC-KTU to know more about its services.

The University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center is located along Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Piñas City. For other inquiries and details, visit its website at www.uphmc.com.ph or call 874-8515 (trunkline) or 873-7210 (fax), or e-mail at [email protected]. For medical emergencies, call the UPHDMC hotline at 873-7210.