The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City launched its new Kidney and Transplant Institute on Friday, 28 November, providing expanded access to dialysis and transplant services for patients across Mindanao.

The institute, a 62-bed facility, consolidates all renal services in one location. It includes a 100-bed hemodialysis unit, peritoneal dialysis services, an immunology and histocompatibility laboratory for donor-recipient matching, multiple operating rooms for transplant procedures, outpatient nephrology and urology clinics, and dedicated wards for both charity and private patients.

In addition to patient care, the institute is structured to support research, training, and professional development in nephrology and transplant medicine, aiming to strengthen Mindanao’s capacity as a regional center for specialized healthcare.

Healthcare advocates have highlighted the importance of regional facilities in reducing the burden on patients and families who previously traveled to Manila for complex renal treatments. The institute is expected to provide earlier interventions, faster diagnosis, and more consistent dialysis and transplant services for residents of Mindanao.

The SPMC Kidney and Transplant Institute is part of a broader effort under the Regional Specialty Centers Act (Republic Act No. 11959), which mandates the creation of specialty centers in existing Department of Health regional hospitals. The law aims to decentralize high-level medical services, ensuring that advanced care is available outside the country’s capital.

Officials said the facility is intended to reduce travel costs and delays for patients and provide a comprehensive hub for treatment, training, and research in renal care.