Davao City—Mindanaoans battling kidney disease will soon no longer have to endure expensive, exhausting trips to Metro Manila for treatment. The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) has officially opened the soft-launch phase of its state-of-the-art Kidney and Transplant Institute, marking a historic breakthrough for healthcare in the region.
SPMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan confirmed that with the soft opening now underway, the facility has already activated two operating rooms and several patient wards. The remaining sections of the institute will be gradually completed in preparation for full operations targeted by January 2026.
“This is a zero-billing facility for the people of Davao and Mindanao,” Dr. Audan emphasized, ensuring that the institute will provide life-saving services—such as kidney transplants—without burying families in debt.
A Long-Awaited Lifeline for Mindanao
Construction of the Kidney and Transplant Institute began in 2016. Today, the five-storey building stands as one of the most advanced medical facilities in the region, purpose-built for kidney care and transplant procedures.
Once fully operational, the institute will house:
- 1 Presidential Room
- 13 Pay Wards
- 32 Charity Beds
- 16 Private ICU Beds
- 1 Isolation Unit
- 8-bed Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
In total, 74 beds will serve patients requiring dialysis support, pre- and post-transplant care, and other renal treatment services.
The facility also includes modern immunology laboratories, specialized operating rooms, and a patients’ roof deck garden designed to help promote mental wellness during recovery.
Goodbye Manila Trips: Kidney Transplants Coming to Davao
The biggest milestone? By January next year, Davao City is expected to begin offering full kidney transplant procedures—a medical service long centralized in Metro Manila.
For thousands of families in Mindanao, this means:
- Faster access to transplant services
- Reduced travel and lodging costs
- Shorter waiting times
- Treatment in a familiar environment close to home
This development is especially critical in Mindanao, where kidney disease remains one of the top causes of hospitalization and mortality.
A Major Victory for Public Healthcare
With SKTI’s opening, Davao City strengthens its position as a leading medical hub in the south—bringing world-class healthcare closer to communities that have long been underserved.
The fully operational facility is expected to transform the lives of countless Mindanaoans, offering hope, dignity, and access to high-quality medical care without financial burden.
A milestone for Davao. A blessing for Mindanao. A new era for public health in the Philippines.