The Medical City, Rizal Medical Center Formalize Historic PPP to Advance Liver Transplantation in the PH

Pasig City, Philippines — January 9, 2025: The Medical City (TMC) and Rizal Medical Center (RMC) have officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish the Joint TMC-RMC Liver Transplant Program. This partnership marks a significant step forward in addressing the growing burden of liver diseases in the Philippines, providing hope for patients in need of advanced care without leaving the country.

The Joint TMC-RMC Liver Transplant Program seeks to improve Filipinos' access to liver transplant services while addressing the critical challenges in organ donation. This collaboration leverages TMC’s established expertise in liver transplantation and RMC’s commitment to expanding hepatobiliary services to develop a comprehensive program for liver transplants and organ donation.

TMC and RMC signed a Memorandum of Agreement to establish the Joint TMC-RMC Liver Transplant Program.

Initially, transplants will be conducted at TMC while RMC develops the necessary infrastructure. Once completed, procedures will be performed at either hospital, depending on patient preference and available resources.

“Our goal is to make liver transplant services accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of socioeconomic status,” said Dr. Ruben G. Kasala, Executive Vice President and CEO of TMC Ortigas. “By working with RMC, we’re not just expanding access, but also creating a model for collaboration between private and public healthcare institutions.”

In photo, from left to right: Dr. Ruben G. Kasala, TMC Ortigas EVP & CEO; Dr. Maria Rica M. Lumague, Rizal Medical Center Chief; and Dr. Maria Vanessa H. De Villa, TMC Center for Liver Health and Transplantation Director.

Dr. Maria Rica M. Lumague, Medical Center Chief II of Rizal Medical Center, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the partnership’s potential to drive organ donation awareness and save lives.

“This partnership will significantly contribute to promoting organ donation awareness across our communities, saving countless lives,” Dr. Lumague said. “We pledge to work hand-in-hand with TMC, our healthcare partners, and stakeholders to build a robust and sustainable liver transplant program,” she added.

Dr. Stuart Bennett, President and Group CEO of TMC Enterprise, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and highlighted the transformative potential of collaboration between the government and the private sector. He emphasized that such synergies could pave the way for groundbreaking advancements, including the establishment of a national referral center for liver transplantation.

Dr. Stuart Bennett, TMC’s President and Group CEO

“There are many things which the government sector brings, and there are many things which the private sector brings. When you combine these efforts, we will have a fantastic and phenomenal powerhouse. I’m very happy about this partnership. I have genuinely seen what it looks like when the government and private sector work together. I am very excited to become a referral center for liver transplants,” Dr. Bennett shared.

The event was graced by the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, who strongly supported the public-private partnership (PPP).

Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa delivering his special message during the event.

“The current state of liver transplantation in the Philippines highlights the issue of limited access,” said Sec. Herbosa during his speech. “I commend this partnership for taking steps to address this challenge. We have the capability and capacity to perform this complex procedure locally and consistently deliver excellent results,” he added.

By initiating this partnership with TMC, RMC aims to become the country's preferred government facility for liver transplantation. This event signifies the first formal PPP for a liver transplant program covering adult and pediatric patients.

TMC and RMC, through this partnership, are dedicated to equipping Filipino physicians with the skills and resources needed to perform liver transplants locally. This ensures that Filipino patients can receive world-class care without having to leave the country.

“Our battle cry is ‘for the Filipinos, by Filipinos, in the Philippines,’” Dr. Maria Vanessa de Villa, Director of TMC’s Liver Center said.