NKTI - Renal Capsule Issue - 2021-2

1. underlying factors that
contribute to their mental
distress, and measures be taken
to deal with these stressors.
To address the growing mental
health needs of NKTI
employees, “Telepahingahan sa
NKTI” was launched in May
2020 to provide a virtual forum
that would allow employees,
especially frontliners to diffuse
their emotional pressure
brought about by being
frontliners. Employees availed
themselves of a free
telepsychotherapy/telecounseli
ng from psychosocial services,
namely, the MLAC Institute for
Psychosocial Services, Inc., the
Ateneo Bulatao Center for
Psychology Services, the Circle
of Hope Community Services,
and the UP Diliman
Psychosocial Services (UPD
PsycServ).
The NKTI Lifestyle Medicine Program
The Lifestyle Medicine Program
kicked off in January 2020 during
the NKTI Preventive Medicine
month, with an Employees’
Wellness Seminar which featured
lectures on Ergonomics in the
Workplace, Nutrition in the
Workplace, and Exercise Training
Methods.
Those who wished to de-stress
creatively were taught the
principles of flower-arranging and,
later, given the chance to try their
hand at Ikebana. Meanwhile, in the
atrium, various distributors
showcased their health and
wellness products at the Employees
Wellness Fair.
To close the NKTI Preventive
Medicine celebration, employees
gathered for a walkathon that took
them to East Avenue, around the
Bangko Sentral complex, and
Quezon Avenue.
Unfortunately, other LMP
activities had to be put on hold, as
the fitness gym closed, with the
onset of the coronavirus (COVID-
19) pandemic.
While people have had to learn to
confront the harsh challenges
wrought by the pandemic, it is the
healthcare workers who have
borne the brunt of these burdens.
They are the ones, after all, who
spent long, gruelling hours taking
care of the sick, who bring solace
to the isolated, healing to the
suffering and, sadly, comfort to
the dying. All on a daily basis.
No wonder, then, that many of
our healthcare personnel now
work under a heavy mental strain.
Indeed, if they are to dispense
their duties effectively and
efficiently, it is imperative that
the spotlight be shed on the
D r . M a r i a R o w e n a L . J a v i e r
H e a d , P h y s i c a l M e d i c i n e a n d R e h a b i l i t a t i o n S e c t i o n
I S S U E 2 A P R I L T O J U N E 2 0 2 1
N K T I P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N O F F I C E A P R I L T O J U N E 2 0 2 1
Level II 2015
In This Issue:
T H E N E W L I F E S T Y L E
M E D I C I N E P R O G R A M
B A Y A N I H A N P A R A S A
P A S Y E N T E P R O J E C T
E X P A N S I O N O F P H I L H E A L T H
D I A L Y S I S C O V E R A G E
H O P E I N T H E N E W N O R M A L
R E D C O P A D V O C A C I E S
K I D N E Y M O N T H H I G H L I G H T S

2. Those in need of medical
management were also referred to
Dr. Reynaldo J. Lesaca, Jr., the
Institute's most senior psychiatrist.
Moreover, the Lifestyle Medicine
Program held a focus group
discussion in May 2020 on the
psychosocial aspects of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven
employees from various units of
the hospital comprised the focus
group.
A second focus group discussion
was held on World Patient Safety
Day in September wherein
employees shared their
experiences and realizations on
the pandemic. Dr. Lesaca and
clinical psychologist Ms. Florizel
Marquez were the resource
persons for both FGDs.
In October, a webinar was
conducted by Dr. Marie Grace A.
Gomez of the College of Education,
of the University of the
Philippines-Diliman, with the aim
of introducing stress management,
distress tolerance and mindfulness
skills to help employees better
cope with pressures of these
demanding times.
Acknowledging the need to
maintain one’s physical and mental
health to enable individuals to
manage stress more effectively and
become less fatigued even while
working long shifts, the Executive
Office allowed the reopening of the
fitness gym in January 2021.
A second webinar entitled
“Resilience Skills During Uncertain
Times” was held by Dr. Gomez on
January 27, 2021. This year, in
accordance with Civil Service
Commission M.C. No. 4, requiring
all government agencies to
establish their mental health
programs, the NKTI Mental Health
Program was launched.
P A G E 2
T H E R E N A L C A P S U L E
I S S U E 1
N K T I P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N O F F I C E A P R I L T O J U N E 2 0 2 1
This program will include group
discussions on depression,
anxiety, interpersonal distress,
and other mental health issues. A
buddy program (peer counseling)
and support groups through
group counseling will be
developed. Resilience-building
workshops will likewise be
conducted to allow both medical
and non-medical staff members
to address work-related issues
and concerns. Stress-debriefing
activities will also be held.
In addition, activities for
supervisors to develop skills to
facilitate effective
interpersonal relationships will
be introduced.
These initiatives proved that
the NKTI management values
its workforce, recognizes the
immense strain the COVID-19
pandemic has placed on its
employees. NKTI is doing all it
can to bring relief and
assistance to its selfless and
indispensable healthcare
workers.
Wellness in the new normal:
Through its various programs, the NKTI LMP
recognizes the need for our frontliners and healthcare
workers to better cope with the challenges and
pressures brought about by the pandemic.

3. P A G E 3
T H E R E N A L C A P S U L E
I S S U E 1
N K T I P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N O F F I C E A P R I L T O J U N E 2 0 2 1
Adult Nephrology Department Launches
"Bayanihan Para sa Pasyente" Project
E m i l y B . M e n d i g o r i n
P u b l i c I n f o r m a t i o n O f f i c e
Inspired by the Maginhawa
Community Pantry “Magbigay ayon
sa Kakayahan, Kumuha ayon sa
Pangangailangan”, the Adult
Nephrology fellows through the
tutelage of their Department Chair
Dr. Luis Limchiu, initiated the
Bayanihan para sa Pasyente Project
last April 28, 2021. This endeavor
aims to help the indigent patients
of the NKTI to help put food on the
table alongside provision of free
medical consultation at the NKTI
Out Patient Services (OPS).
The OPS area was literally
converted into a mini market and
filled with donations such as
vegetables, rice, hygiene kits,
masks and other necessities which
were given to the patients who
were scheduled for consultation.
This effort was enthusiastically
participated in by various
departments and consultants of
the Institute such as the
Anesthesia, Urology, Organ
Transplant , Surgery Departments
and other good samaritans from
the government and private
sectors.
On May 26, 2021, the Multi-
Sectoral Governance Council
(MSGC) member and Alagang
Kapatid Foundation Inc. (AFKI)
Top Executive Ms. Menchie
Silvestre heeded the call of the
Adult Nephrology Department
and sponsored a one day
community pantry. Ms. Silvestre
and her team were known by the
NKTI community in its
commitment towards community
relations which was evident in
their relentless effort of
providing assistance to NKTI
especially during the time of the
pandemic.
According to Ms. Silvestre, giving
back served as an inspiration for
a family which was among the
major donors of the donation
drive. Adult Nephrology
Fellows, OPD staff and other
members of the NKTI
workforce helped the team of
Ms. Silvestre in the distribution
of food supplies and other
goods to the patients. The
activity was enormously
appreciated by the patients as
they were not only given a free
medical consult but were also
provided with their food
necessities for the day.
Borrowing a quote from the
Dalai Lama - “Just as ripples
spread out when a single pebble
is dropped into water, the
actions of individuals can have
far reaching effects”.
Kudos to the Adult Nephrology
Department for their
noteworthy effort!
Ms. Menchie Silvestre of the Alagang Kapatid Foundation and
NKTI Multi-sector Governance Council member (MSGC),
together with Adult Nephrology Fellows leading a community
pantry project for NKTI patients.

4. HOPE in the New Normal:
Advocacies in the Time of Covid-19
The Human Organ Preservation Effort or HOPE Office is the pioneer in organ procurement organization in
the Philippines. It functions as the important link between patients in need of an organ transplant and
potential organ donors. Here are some of the creative ways in which they reached out to the public this
pandemic.
#KTFridays
The Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE) is tasked
to advocate for and implement its organ and tissue
donation program. Aside from this, they are also tasked
to orient patients opting to undergo kidney
transplantation.
Due to the Covid crisis, an innovative way in reaching
out people who might be interested to know more
about kidney transplantation is done thru a program
called KTFridays. This is a virtual orientation via
Facebook with a 30-minute discussion which starts at
10am every Friday. Since January 2021 up to present
they had a total of 9 Facebook live sessions.
P A G E 4
T H E R E N A L C A P S U L E
I S S U E 1
N K T I P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N O F F I C E A P R I L T O J U N E 2 0 2 1
D r . B e n i t a P a d i l l a
H e a d , H u m a n O r g a n P r e s e r v a t i o n E f f o r t ( H O P E )
One Call Away
HOPE launched a contest that ran for a week (starting June 7-11, 2021) called “One Call Away” in
Celebration of the 2021 Kidney Month. Wherein NKTI employees, during their lunch break, were
encouraged to join the contest via Zoom. This contest aims to raise awareness among NKTI employees
regarding Deceased Organ Donation Program.
During the mini contest, three short videos were played followed by three questions, employees were
given a chance to call a certain local number of a Transplant Coordinator at the HOPE Office. If they
answered the three questions correctly, they will win a cash prize worth P500.00.
The winners are (Day 1: Ms. Charlyn Perez; Day 2: Ms. Charm Billedo; Day 3: Ms. Geneva Sestoso; Day 4:
Ms. Kristine Jipulan; and Day 5: Ms. Suzette Dante).

5. P A G E 5
T H E R E N A L C A P S U L E
I S S U E 1
N K T I P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N O F F I C E A P R I L T O J U N E 2 0 2 1
Pose that Hand
Sign Challenge
In this year's Kidney Month Celebration with the
theme “Matatag na Bato sa Kapanahunang Ito,”
HOPE took part in the Institute’s activities by
doing an advocacy campaign thru social media
page for targeting the general public as
participants. To engage more individuals to join,
HOPE came up with the “Pose That Hand Sign”
challenge.
The challenge is to ask the general public to: (1)
Like and follow HOPE – NKTI Facebook page, (2)
Take a photo themselves in a creative pose with
8 hand sign, (3) Upload the photo on their
timeline (4) Caption the photo and use the
hashtag #PoseThatHandSign, and, (5) Tag 5
friends on FB to do the same challenge.
Entries were rated based on: (1) creativity of pose
and caption, and, (2) highest engagement which is
the sum of all reactions, comments, and shares on
Facebook. The 5 entries who rose above the rest
received cash prizes.
The meaning of the hand sign along with the
winners were revealed last June 25, 2021, during the
#KTFridays episode. The meaning of the “8” hand
sign which is “8’sTimeToSaveLives” was the main
point of the challenge. Increasing awareness among
the general public about the value of being an organ
donor at the time of death was the main goal. The
"8" in the hand sign represents the 8 lives that could
possibly be saved by just a single donor!
Many other departments in NKTI also participated
in and accepted the challenge. Our NKTI Executive
Director, Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete, is a great
supporter of the deceased organ donation program
and its advocacy.
Let's continue to use this hand sign in our photos
to awaken interest in organ donation!
Are you up to the challenge?

6. P A G E 6
T H E R E N A L C A P S U L E
I S S U E 1
N K T I P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N O F F I C E A P R I L T O J U N E 2 0 2 1
REDCOP Advocacy Campaigns During the
Pandemic
Conducting an advocacy is not an easy feat
during the time of a COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the pandemic did not deter the
REDCOP from fulfilling its mandate to promote
the health of kidneys and enhance awareness
about the catastrophic consequences of kidney
diseases.
During the 2021 National Kidney Month
celebration, the REDCOP through a series of
virtual meetings, was able to conduct advocacy
campaigns attended by students, patients, media,
administrative and medical staff. Invitations to
conduct webinars for the Rural Health Units,
Rural Health officers and staff, dialysis patients
and companions from different DOH Regional
offices were also accommodated. A virtual
presentation was also conducted for the
employees of a private company.
D r . S u s a n J o r g e
H e a d , R e n a l D i s e a s e C o n t r o l P r o g r a m
The REDCOP campaigns were not limited to
webinars, there were Radio & TV interviews as
well. With the support from the Philippine
Information Agency (PIA) to make the celebration
of the National Kidney Month more conspicuous
to the public, the theme “Matatag na Bato sa
Kapanahunang Ito” and the care of our kidneys
was announced through SMS/text blast
nationwide. The Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority (MMDA) has also provided
us with an opportunity to post GIF files and
videos thru their LED Boards located in Buendia
and Cubao and airing of messages on all bound
(Northbound and Southbound) of LED sites along
EDSA.

7. P A G E 7
N K T I P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N O F F I C E A P R I L T O J U N E 2 0 2 1
T H E R E N A L C A P S U L E
I S S U E 1
HD Coverage Expanded to 144 Sessions
M a r i a M a r i n e l a R . T a n d o c
P u b l i c I n f o r m a t i o n O f f i c e
Here's some good news for our Hemodialysis
patients and their dependents: The Philippine
Health Insurance Corp. or Philhealth has
expanded its coverage of outpatient Hemodialysis
(HD) sessions from 90 sessions to 144.
The policy which was published under Philhealth
Circular No. 2021-0009 covers Philhealth
members and their dependents with Stage 5
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Members must be
enrolled in the Philhealth Dialysis Database.
With this new directive, the additional 91st to 144
sessions will be used exclusively for outpatient
dialysis. However, any unused sessions will not be
carried over the following year. Covered claims
are to be deducted from the patient's medical bill
and filed by the healthcare provider.
Moreover, qualified Philhealth members and their dependents who have already used their additional
sessions but have not deducted these from their medical bills may file their claims directly with their
local Philhealth Regional/ Branch Office.
In addition to this, Philhealth reminds the public that Philhealth members and their dependents who
are classified as indirect contributors are not covered by co-payment arrangement.
Ang pag extend ng PHIC ay malaking tulong sa akin
para mabawasan ang suliranin at isipin lalo na kung 3x
beses ako nagdialysis. Sa haba ang panahon na ako'y
dina-dialysis, halos ubos na ang aming kabuhayan sa
gastusin. Kung 3500 pesos per session, i-multiply ito
sa 54, ay 189,000 pesos din yan. Saan namin kukunin
ang ganyang halaga lalo at panahon pa ng pandemic?
Kaya ganun na lang ang pasasalamat namin sa
Philhealth at sa NKTI na ito ay na-implement.
Nagpapasalamat din maging sa pagkakaisa ng mga
pasyente upang maipahayag ang aming kahilingang
ito sa mga kinauukulan.
Randy V. Fernandez, fourteen years on
Hemodialysis at NKTI
President, Hemodialysis-Renal Patients
and Relatives Organization (HD - RPARO)

8. I S S U E 1 P A G E 8
T H E R E N A L C A P S U L E
N a t i o n a l K i d n e y a n d T r a n s p l a n t I n s t i t u t e
E a s t A v e n u e , Q u e z o n C i t y
1 1 0 1 , P h i l i p p i n e s
S a k i t s a b a t o , s a g o t n a n d i t o . . . N K T I k a a g a p a y m o !
8 - 9 8 1 - 0 3 0 0 / 8 - 9 8 1 - 0 4 0 0 p r o @ n k t i . g o v . p h
f a c e b o o k . c o m /
n k t i . g o v . p h
n k t i . g o v . p h
2021 National Kidney
Month Highlights
38th National Kidney Month (NKM) Opening Ceremonies and Ribbon Cutting of Exhibit with Dr. Mel Hatra Arakama,
Chairperson of the NKM Committee and NKTI Top Management
The NKM Closing Ceremonies were celebrated with a community pantry,
food fair, and raffle for NKTI employees
Winning entries and finalists in the
2021 Kidney Month Art Competition
Members of the 2021 National Kidney Month Committee with
NKTI Top Management