GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — The General Santos Doctors Hospital (GSDH), in collaboration with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), is set to launch the first kidney transplant program in Region 12 to enhance access to renal care in Mindanao.
The initiative forms part of the Transplant Caravan spearheaded by NKTI to decentralize renal care and bring essential transplant services closer to patients, especially in underserved areas.
“General Santos Doctors Hospital decided to pursue this kidney transplant primarily to help patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) improve their lives,” said Daniel Go Yap, president of GSDH, in a recent interview.
Yap stated that GSDH aims to initiate the transplant program by late 2025 or early 2026.
He emphasized that dialysis patients require three weekly treatments, totaling 12 to 16 hours per week for life.
“With kidney transplant, you develop independence… you go back to your families and communities, more productive and living your life to the fullest,” he said.
With hemodialysis centers reaching full capacity and patients traveling to major cities for transplants, the development is a breakthrough for the Soccsksargen region, Yap added, citing GSDH’s two-fold motivation, that is, to extend the lives of their patients and help them live with dignity.
“This will be the first in Region 12, so our patients don’t have to go to Davao, Cebu, or Manila. We will partner with PhilHealth and the Department of Health to make this program more accessible,” Yap said.
Describing it as a game-changer in local renal care, Dr. Mylene Escalona-Lucero, a nephrologist at GSDH, explained that kidney transplants are now recommended as early as Stage 4 CKD.
“If a new kidney is transplanted, the patient can stop dialysis and return to a normal life. They can work, study, and travel without worrying about dialysis schedules,” she pointed out.
Lucero emphasized that General Santos City acts as a central hub for the surrounding municipalities, thereby increasing the urgency for transplant services.
“Our dialysis centers are almost full. With a transplant program, especially younger patients will greatly benefit,” she further said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete, the executive director of NKTI, expressed her strong support for the program, especially since some specialists from GSDH received training at NKTI.
“They truly come back to serve in your hospital. For a hospital to begin transplant services, we ensure full team support—nephrologists, transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and even pharmacists,” she noted.
Liquete also said that the NKTI has collaborated closely with the DOH and private hospitals to develop a “resource-stratified framework” as part of the Universal Health Care (UHC) program.
“We’re supporting hospitals like GSDH with training and technical guidance. The response from private hospitals has been remarkable,” she said, adding that, “with proper accreditation from the DOH and a capable support team, you’re on the right path.” (HJPF, PIA SarGen)
