Isko Moreno announces new batch of Manila children bound for India for life-saving liver transplants
Cesar Patrick F. Bonales • Ipinost noong 2026-01-21 09:15:38
PRESS RELEASE
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Tuesday afternoon, January 20, announced another batch of children who will be sent to India to undergo life-saving liver transplant procedures under the city government’s medical assistance program.
Domagoso said the city has released a total of ₱6,976,208.85 to support the latest set of patients, covering medical and related expenses for four children requiring liver transplants, as well as one patient needing burr hole aspiration and craniotomy procedures.
During a brief interaction with the families, Domagoso reminded them of the collective effort behind the assistance, saying, “Pasalamat kayo sa Diyos at sa taxpayers ng Manila.”
The Mayor also urged the parents to remain strong and faithful as they prepare for their children’s operations abroad.
“May awa ang Diyos, magdasal kayo,” the Mayor told them.
Domagoso expressed his hope that the children would recover fully and live healthy lives after their procedures.
“Sana lumaki at maging malusog silang lahat,” he said.
The latest assistance builds on the Mayor's continuing commitment to fund life-saving medical treatments for Manila residents who cannot afford highly specialized procedures, particularly pediatric liver transplants that are still largely unavailable locally.
In December 2025, Domagoso announced the release of ₱7.4 million from the Special Health Fund to support five Manila children who underwent liver transplants in India, with four treated at Indraprastha Medical Corporation Ltd. and one at Max Healthcare Institute Limited.
At the time, the Mayor emphasized that the city government and Manila taxpayers stood behind the families.
The initiative is also linked to the Mayor’s long-term vision of strengthening local medical capacity, following the country’s first successful pediatric liver transplant in a government hospital at the UP Philippine General Hospital, which was supported by more than ₱30 million in donations he helped raise to expand life-saving pediatric surgeries in the Philippines.