DOH, PhilHealth work together to lower cost of liver transplant in PH

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Monday they are working with PhilHealth to shoulder the cost of liver transplants in the country, as the Medical City and Rizal Medical Center marked the first anniversary of their joint liver transplant program in Pasig City.

Herbosa said the DOH and PhilHealth are eyeing to provide about P2 million for a liver transplant under the Z Benefits package, which covers prolonged medical treatments for severe health conditions like breast cancer and lymphoblastic leukemia and operations like kidney transplants.

“If we get that transplant, even the immunosuppression for kidney transplant is paid for by P40,000 a month,” Herbosa said. “This will definitely help 144 patients a year.”

He explained that this will help patients ease their financial burden since a liver transplant in the country costs about P5 million.

Meanwhile, in the Medical City’s Center for Liver Health and Transplantation, a liver transplant costs P2.4 million.

It has conducted 30 liver transplants since its first operation in 2011.

As of 2025, 466 Filipinos are in line for an organ transplant, Herbosa said.

DOH aims to strengthen the country’s organ donation program, particularly the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing, by improving access to organ transportation and establishing the Philippine Organ Donor and Recipient Registry System. — RSJ, GMA News