ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Department of Health (DoH) has accredited the Western Mindanao Medical Center (WMMC) in this city to perform “Kidney Transplantation” after a group of medical experts conducted an inspection and evaluation of the hospital facilities and equipment recently.

Mary Kristhine M. Enriquez, a registered nurse and transplant coordinator of the WMMC, said the team that conducted the evaluation was composed of Dr. Raymond Majini, Dr. Josephine Valdez, Dr. Arwin Ronsayro, Fr. Manuel Perez, Alfonso Favis, and Alice Baquiran, all medical experts from the DoH and National Kidney Transplant Institute in Manila.

Enriquez said that when the WMCC starts accepting kidney transplantation, the residents of Mindanao who has kidney problem will be highly benefited.

Patients who need kidney transplant need not to go to Manila or Cebu to undergo surgery, and this will also minimize their hospitalization and transportation expenses, she said.

The idea of organ transplantation was first brought to the attention of the WMMC management by Dr. Michael Abutazil in collaboration with two other surgeons from Cagayan de Oro City – Dr. Jayson J. Sangkula and Dr. John N. Ahalajal.

In another development, a forum will be held at Astoria Hotel here on Friday, which carries the theme “Resuscitating the Deceased Organ Donation Program,” which will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The forum will be sponsored by the DoH-Philippine Organ Donation Program (DoH-PODP) and National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) in coordination with the WMCC and REDCOP, Dr. Paterno Cabrera III, the WMMC president said.

Expected to share valuable information about the program are Dr. Antonio Paraiso, program manager for operation of the DoH-PODP.