Lack of donations cause organ trafficking —NKTI

The lack of donations causes organ trafficking in the country, according to the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI).

The statement came following the arrest of several suspects involved in kidney organ trafficking and rescue of nine victims in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan. 

Dr. Concessa C. Casasola, NKTI acting deputy director for Education Training and Research Services, said aside from poverty, the lack of organs is also a major factor behind the issue.

“I think, ang number one is, nangyayari ito kasi kulang tayo ng organs. Sabi nga, don’t bring your organs to your grave. Isipin mo, nine na tao ang matutulungan pag naging organ donor ka. I think that’s the best legacy. So help us promote organ donation,” said Casasola. 

(I think, the number one factor is, it happens because we lack organs. As the saying goes, don't bring your organs to your grave. Think about it, you can help nine people when you become an organ donor. I think that's the best legacy. So help us promote organ donation.)

She said that having a few donors makes the process of kidney transplant take longer.

Currently, Casasola said there are about 100 organ recipients on the list under the Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE) of NKTI.

“Dahil nga kokonti, mahaba ang listahan. Pero kung dadami ang organ donors natin, marami din pong mata-transplant,” she said. 

(Because there are so few organ donors, the list is long. But if we have more organ donors, more people will have a transplant.)

She added that there are patients who take two to six years before finding a kidney donor.

“Carry the organ donor card, nasa likod ng driver's license, in case anything happens to you, i-donate na natin ang organs natin so those with kidney, heart, lung failure, they can have a new life. Carry the organ donor card, and tell your family that you want to donate you organs,” said Dr. Nerissa M. Gerial, NKTI deputy executive director for Nursing Services. 

Kidney transplant cost

The kidney transplant operation costs P1.2 million, according to Dr. Rose Marie Rosette-Liquete, NKTI executive director. 

The PhilHealth is subsidizing up to P600,000 per operation.  

Apart from this, at least P30,000 per month is needed to cover the medical checkups and maintenance medicine.

With the high cost of operation and maintenance medicine, Dr. Romina Danguilan, NKTI deputy executive director for Medical Services, said that "kidney transplant is not for everybody."—AOL, GMA Integrated News