DOH-NKTI SLATES LAY FORUM ON RENAL DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Health (DOH), through the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Bicol, has slated a Lay Forum on the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) Thursday afternoon (June 17) at the Casablanca Social Hall here.

Dr. Antonio Paraiso, REDCOP national program manager, told PIA News Service that the interfacing with local chief executives, health officials, workers and service providers, academic institutions with medical courses is one way of the institute to popularize the program on kidney care, prevention and treatment of diseases, organ donation, as well as lifestyles to keep the kidneys healthy.

Medical specialists from the NKTI, led by Paraiso, along with Dr. Susan Jorge, Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca, Dr. Lourde Petobello, Dr. Claire Angelie Imbisan, Evelyn O. Pretencio, will serve as panelists for the half-day lay forum.

Paraiso stressed that the REDCOP forms part of the continuing efforts of the government to promote wellness and better health among the populace, especially on kidney care and organ donation.

REDCOP is the office in-charge of implementing the NKTI’s public health projects on the prevention and control of renal and other related diseases.

The institute plans, implements and monitors projects for research, advocacy, training, service and quality assurance, and its activities are done mostly on a national scale through its network of DOH regional coordinators throughout the country.

REDCOP also administers and manages the Philippine Renal Disease Registry (PRDR), which include data on End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Registry composed of the Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis & Transplant Registries, and the Chronic Kidney Disease Registry composed of Biopsy.

The same office has also been tasked to operate the Philippine Organ Donation Program (PODP) of DOH, set up to craft policies, guidelines and ethical principles whereby the act of organ donation and conduct of transplantation from living non-related organ donors (LNRDs) shall be managed and regulated.

POPD supports a rational, equitable, ethical, and accessible renal health care program in the country.

Meanwhile, the REDCOP team visiting this city starting June 15 will also be conducting free medical check up laboratory services, such as free urinalysis and FBS (fasting blood sugar) testing, to the local residents at the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH) here.

All but these advocacy activities highlight this year’s celebration of the National Kidney Month this June.

This year’s Kidney Month theme evolves on “Healthy Kidneys, Health Family”. (MALoterte, PIA V)