Question & AnswerQ&A (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2008-0004)
The main objective is to establish a revised national policy to regulate living non-related organ donation and transplantation in the Philippines, ensuring ethical standards, safety of donors and recipients, and to curb commercialization and organ trafficking.
Living Related Donors (LRDs) are donors related to the recipient by blood within the fourth-degree of consanguinity, such as parents, children, siblings, nephews/nieces, and first cousins.
LNRDs are individuals not related by blood to the recipient but willing to donate an organ for certain reasons. They are classified into voluntary donors who have close emotional ties with the recipient, and commercial donors who offer kidneys for sale.
The key principles include equity, justice, benevolence, non-maleficence, solidarity, altruism, and volunteerism to ensure fairness, safety, ethical conduct, and selfless donation in organ transplantation.
No, the sale or purchase of kidneys, involving commercial donors or vendors, is strictly prohibited under this policy.
Filipino recipients are given priority in donor allocation, and the ability to pay should not hinder their access to transplantation services.
The Order covers kidney donors and recipients; all health professionals involved in transplantation; DOH offices and attached agencies; health facilities like hospitals and laboratories; and government and non-government agencies related to organ transplantation.
The PBODT reviews and approves policies on organ transplantation, approves accreditation of transplant facilities, and oversees ethical and regulatory compliance in transplantation programs.
Violations can lead to suspension or revocation of hospital or transplant facility licenses, professional sanctions by regulatory bodies such as the PRC, and possible civil or criminal proceedings.
No, kidney transplantation is expressly not part of medical tourism, and guidelines limiting foreign patient access shall be formulated and enforced.
NHOPE acts as the central coordinating body in donor kidney allocation, implementing allocation policies, and maintaining national registries of kidney transplants, donors, and waiting patients.
Each transplant facility must establish a Hospital Ethics Committee (HEC), Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE), and Kidney Donor Monitoring Unit (KDMU) to manage ethical issues, donor allocation, and long-term donor monitoring respectively.
PhilNETDAT is the overall implementing body responsible for the organ donation and transplantation system, including inspections, monitoring compliance, and coordination among stakeholders.
The government allocated 20 million pesos per year starting 2008 to support operations of the organ donation and transplantation program, with potential to tap other funding sources.