(Photo courtesy of PNA)
The Department of Health (DOH) is updating its organ and tissue donation policies to improve transplant access, accelerate donor matching, and strengthen safeguards against illegal organ trafficking as hundreds of Filipino patients remain on transplant waiting lists.
DOH Undersecretary Albert Domingo said Friday that approximately 660 patients were awaiting kidney donations as of October 26, while more than 500 others needed corneal transplants around the same period.
Domingo highlighted the country’s low organ donation rate of just 0.7 donors per million population, compared with more than 50 per million in Spain.
The figures underscore the need to strengthen public awareness and encourage more Filipinos to consider voluntary organ donation.
Among the proposed improvements are simplified donor registration procedures, expanded public information campaigns, and the digitalization of donor records and transplant matching systems.
The DOH is also exploring ways to make donor registration more accessible, including through driver’s license applications.
“Kailangan po kasama sa kultura natin ang pinag-uusapan paano magbigay ng buhay sa ibang tao sa pamamagitan ng ating literal na bahagi ng ating katawan,” Domingo said.
He emphasized that organ donation should become part of public discussions about saving lives and helping patients in need.
The planned digitalization of donor information is expected to improve the identification of compatible donors and recipients, including arrangements for paired donations when a willing donor is medically incompatible with the intended recipient.
Domingo stressed that organ donation must remain voluntary and ethical, with safeguards in place to prevent exploitation and illegal organ trading.
The DOH also intends to simplify reporting procedures for suspected organ trafficking cases to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to strengthen enforcement and accountability.
Tarlac health station reopens to improve rural healthcare
Meanwhile, Domingo welcomed the reopening of the Sitio Dueg health station in Barangay Maasin, San Clemente, Tarlac, which is expected to improve access to basic healthcare services for remote communities, including Ayta and Abellen residents.
The municipal government converted a former Covid-19 isolation facility into a health station, while the DOH committed to providing medical equipment and essential supplies.
The facility is expected to reduce the need for residents to travel long distances to access medical services, particularly during bad weather when roads become difficult or impassable.
San Clemente Mayor Roseller Toledo is also arranging satellite internet connectivity to support telemedicine consultations with the municipal rural health unit.
A visiting midwife and two local barangay health workers will assist in delivering healthcare services to the community.
DOH urges blood supply preparations ahead of holidays
Domingo also called on healthcare facilities and blood service organizations to prepare for possible shortages during Christmas and Holy Week, when blood donations typically decline.
Following inspections of blood service facilities in Tarlac, he reported that Tarlac Provincial Hospital was nearing certification that would allow it to independently conduct required Hepatitis B blood testing.
The certification would eliminate the need to send certain test results to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, potentially improving the efficiency of blood screening and availability.
Domingo emphasized the importance of coordination among the DOH, local government units, hospitals, and the Philippine Red Cross to ensure that patients receive timely assistance.
“Kapag may nangangailangan ng dugo, wala nang dapat turuan o kaya sabihan na ‘ako si DOH, ako si LGU, ako si Red Cross’—bigay na lang po noong serbisyo na kailangan ng ating kababayan,” he said.
He stressed that healthcare institutions must prioritize patient needs over administrative boundaries, particularly in situations requiring urgent medical intervention.
The DOH said its continuing initiatives aim to improve access to organ transplantation, strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved communities, and ensure a more reliable supply of blood for patients nationwide.
