TACLOBAN CITY — The Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) is aiming to offer kidney transplant services before the end of 2026, marking a major expansion of specialized healthcare in the region as cases of chronic and end-stage renal disease continue to rise.
EVMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Joseph Michael Jaro said the hospital is in the process of upgrading key facilities needed for kidney transplantation, including operating rooms, intensive care and recovery units, and emergency room infrastructure, to meet national and clinical requirements.
Jaro noted that EVMC, Eastern Visayas biggest government-run hospital, already has the needed pool of specialists to perform kidney transplant procedures, including surgeons, nephrologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, and transplant coordinators.
“The hospital is ready in terms of manpower. We have multidisciplinary experts who can support renal procedures and kidney-related services,” Jaro said. “But transplantation is the end-all management for chronic kidney disease.”
Hospital officials expressed optimism that the service can be rolled out before the end of next year, citing the growing number of patients with chronic kidney disease seeking hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis at EVMC, the lone tertiary referral hospital in Eastern Visayas.
In January, the Department of Health (DOH) Technical Working Group for Renal Care and Transplant, together with the DOH Eastern Visayas Health Facility Development team, conducted mentoring and monitoring activities at EVMC’s renal care units.
The assessment aimed to further improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of kidney-related services, including dialysis and pre- and post-transplant care. The mentoring also provided technical guidance on infrastructure upgrades, service delivery, and compliance with national clinical and operational standards.
DOH officials said the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen renal healthcare systems and ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered care for patients with kidney-related conditions in Eastern Visayas.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
