The Department of Health (DOH) commends the coalition Renal Gift Allowing Life for Others (REGALO) Organ Donation Advocacy for its support the month-long organ donation campaign last June.
The REGALO Organ Donation Advocacy is geared towards raising awareness on organ donation with the hope of encouraging men and women to: GIVE, CARE & SHARE, which is to: GIVE of themselves through organ donation; CARE enough to sign up and become a willing organ donor; and to SHARE what they have done with their family and friends.
As kidney diseases are often incurable, conversely, the good news is that the diseases are preventable through early detection and management. Avoiding acute kidney infections that often lead to chronic condition is crucial. However, for chronic and end-stage renal disease, the only option for survival is a kidney transplant.
The DOH, through its National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), promotes kidney transplantation as the best form of management. The procedure gives the patients the chance to become fully rehabilitated and live the highest quality of life and survival after the operation.
his was expressed in the testimony of a kidney transplant recipient, Ms. Gabrielle Anne Gabaton, in sharing her experience of what it takes on having a second lease on life.
The DOH sends its warm congratulations to the members of the coalition REGALO Organ Donation Advocacy, Maria Corazon Torres Y Javier Foundation, the Kidney Foundation of the Philippines, Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines and Novartis Healthcare Philippines, for spearheading this campaign and promoting the importance of healthy kidneys and organ donation.
“While filling the need for organ transplantation may be a daunting challenge, sustained collaboration between government and the private sector will go a long way in raising awareness on the importance of organ donation. The DOH is certain that REGALO brings us one step closer to saving thousands of lives,” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial concluded.
