Title
DOH Policies on Living Non-Related Organ Donation
Law
Doh Administrative Order No. 2010-0018
Decision Date
Jun 23, 2010
The Department of Health establishes a revised national policy to prohibit non-directed living non-related organ donations, ensuring ethical practices in organ transplantation while creating a structured framework for oversight and compliance through the Philippine Organ Donation and Transplantation Program and the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing.

Law Summary

Coverage

  • Applies to kidney and other organ donors and recipients.
  • Includes all health and health-related professionals involved in transplantation and donation.
  • Covers all DOH offices, bureaus, and attached agencies.
  • Encompasses all health facilities like hospitals and laboratories.
  • Includes government and non-government organizations supporting transplantation.

Definition of Terms

  • Living Related Donors (LRDs): related to recipient within fourth-degree consanguinity.
  • Living Non-Related Donors (LNRDs): not related by blood; include voluntary donors (with close emotional ties) and commercial donors (vendors).
  • Directed donors: donors who specify the recipient.
  • Non-directed donors: donors who give to any matching recipient.
  • Board: refers to Philippine Board for Organ Donation and Transplantation (PBODT).

Guiding Principles

  • Equity: organs belong to community, allocated fairly based on medical need and success probability.
  • Justice: allocation criteria objective and independent of personal characteristics.
  • Benevolence: only voluntary donations with full consent allowed; no trade.
  • Non-maleficence: no harm to donor or recipient.
  • Solidarity: shared objective of safeguarding donor and recipient health.
  • Altruism: donation motivated by selflessness.
  • Volunteerism: donation based on competence, willingness, freedom from coercion, suitability, full information.

General Policy Statements

  • Compliance with WHO, Istanbul Declaration, RA 9208.
  • Safety and transparency prioritized.
  • Payment for organ donation and commercial trading prohibited.
  • Kidney transplantation not for medical tourism.
  • Foreigners cannot receive organs from Filipino LNRDs.
  • Directed LNRDs allowed only if voluntary and altruistic; non-directed LNRDs prohibited.
  • Institutions must maintain quality standards; monitored by DOH and PHIC.
  • Professional societies must ensure compliance and accreditation.
  • Export or transport of organs abroad prohibited.
  • Creation of PBODT as oversight body.
  • PODTP serves as implementing body; PHILNOS for deceased donor organ allocation.

Operational Structures

  • PBODT: approves policies, accredits facilities; composed of key health officials and representatives.
  • PODTP: implements system, monitors facilities.
  • NTEC: sets ethical standards, resolves issues.
  • PHILNOS: coordinates deceased donor organ allocation and maintains registries.
  • BHFS: inspects, accredits, sanctions facilities.
  • PHIC: accredits, sanctions, and participates in monitoring.
  • Hospital Ethics Committee: monitors ethics issues, recommends sanctions.
  • Hospital Transplant Coordinating Office: maintains registries, reports to PHILNOS.
  • Kidney Donor Monitoring Unit: monitors donor health post-donation.
  • Transplant Facilities: must be licensed, accredited, and organize required committees.

Funding Support

  • National government allocates Php 20 million annually starting 2010.
  • Funds may be supplemented from other sources.

Monitoring and Evaluation

  • PODTP leads compliance monitoring.
  • Regular reporting to PBODT.
  • Engagement of independent bodies for monitoring.
  • Continuously develops programs for world-class renal care.

Violations and Sanctions

  • Non-compliance may lead to suspension/revocation of licenses.
  • Professionals may face sanctions from DOH, PRC, and professional societies.
  • Civil or criminal charges may be filed when warranted.

Repealing Clause

  • Repeals or modifies previous inconsistent orders including Administrative Order No. 2008-0004.

Separability Clause

  • Invalid provisions do not affect the remaining valid provisions.

Effectivity

  • Order effective 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

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