Hospital relaunches support group for liver transplant patients

The Manila Times

Hospital relaunches support group for liver transplant patients  Dr. Ma. Vanessa H. De Villa shares why a support group for liver transplant patients, dubbed 'Ligtas,' is relaunched at The Medical City on March 29, 2025. She also encourages people to seek early treatment to prevent complications from a liver ailment. De Villa, the director/general surgeon of the hospital's Center for Liver Disease Management and Transplantation (CLDMT), performed the first pediatric liver transplant in 2011.  Video by Allen Limos  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net     Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital    Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes #TMTNews #Philippines #Health

Transcript

00:00As I mentioned earlier, it's very difficult for a patient with liver disease to be in stage.

00:05Because you need liver transplant, it's very expensive, very complex, you need a donor.

00:10So it's difficult to journey alone.

00:15As I said earlier, each family has a story, each patient has a story that moves you to tears.

00:21And it's like they're climbing a mountain.

00:24It's a daunting task for each family,

00:28but they can do it eventually with the help of everyone.

00:32So to us, it's important to have a support group like this to help each other.

00:36So the purpose is for those who have been there to share their story,

00:41to learn from one another how they're surviving, managing after the transplant,

00:45and to help those who are still journeying.

00:48Those who just learned they need a transplant and what it means to avail of it.

00:54So the support group is a mental and emotional support group for them?

00:57Yes, yes, yes.

00:58It also takes a toll on them mentally?

01:00Yes, correct. All aspects.

01:03SLIGTAS is of course a beautiful Tagalog term and an acronym.

01:08So binigin namin ng meeting.

01:10Now it stands for Liver Transplant Information and Guidance Through Awareness and Support.

01:17Nag-brainstorming kami, may ibang words na magagandang.

01:21Tapos maganda naman yung naging meaning.

01:23So that's what we want to do.

01:24Give information, to guide, to share, increase awareness, support one another.

01:30That is what this group hopes to achieve.

01:33Well, awareness talaga, information, education, campaign, educating people.

01:38For example nalang Hep B.

01:40Ang daming-daming Hep B.

01:41Ang daming hindi alam.

01:42They don't have themselves tested.

01:44So we encourage testing, vaccination, take care of your liver, healthy lifestyle, mga ganyan.

01:50Sa bata naman, mas early.

01:52Kasi when they are yellow, many days na after birth, something is wrong.

01:56So they eventually end up consulting.

01:58But it really starts with increasing awareness about liver disease, liver health.

02:04So that they can do their part in maintaining their livers healthy.

02:08And in seeking help early.

02:10Para matulungan lagat.

02:12Like vaccination, usually wala kanon sakit.

02:14Pero maganda talaga, may antibody sa Hep B.

02:20For more information, visit www.ISGlobal.org

02:24For more information, visit www.ISGlobal.org

02:50For more information, visit www.ISGlobal.org

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