National Kidney and Transplant Institute capacitating nursing workforce in renal health

It has launched several competency development programmes, with each lasting up to four months.

In its 40 years of service as one of the premier centres in the Philippines for renal healthcare, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) prides itself on the services it offers and its adherence to the highest standards of quality patient care. 

NKTI’s Nursing Services, headed by its Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Nerissa M. Gerial, and the Nursing In-Service Training and Education Unit team, continues to rise above the challenges being faced by the facility, especially post-pandemic. Regardless, it has triumphed over these difficulties through initiatives that propel the nursing staff to take action in accordance with the global standards of care.

​

In 2023, a total of 48 hospitals and 153 nursing delegates from various institutions nationwide have applied for the competency development programmes provided by the NKTI Nursing Services. These programmes include Competency Development in Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Kidney Transplantation, Operating Room Nursing, and Transplant Coordination Course. The duration of each programme is approximately two to four months.

“These programmes serve as a beacon of excellence in healthcare, promoting continuous improvement and innovation in nursing, thus advancing the standards of care and ensuring the well-being of patients,” the hospital said.

Moreover, the NKTI Nursing Services’ competency development programmes paved the way for other institutions to capacitate their own training programmes, such as building a kidney transplant team, initiating peritoneal dialysis treatment for patients diagnosed with acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, becoming a peritoneal dialysis solution supplier, being accredited by Philhealth as a Level 3 hospital, and becoming a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited institution as a kidney transplant facility.

DOH recognises NKTI Nursing Services as the lead assessor to train and aid in certifying nurses in renal care and operating room nursing all over the Philippines. The competency development programmes are also offered nationwide.

​

With the help of dedicated and empowered nursing leaders, NKTI Nursing Services has ensured that the educational journey of nursing staff who undergo these programmes is worthwhile and relevant to their professional growth.

This remarkable feat has been acknowledged by the Healthcare Asia Awards 2024, with NKTI Nursing Services bagging the Workforce Transformation Initiative of the Year - Philippines category win. “Truly, the Nursing Services of NKTI guarantees an epic transformation in the lives of the Filipino people, and the nursing staff not only in the Institute but also in the Philippines,” the hospital said.

The prestigious awards programme recognises exceptional healthcare providers who have redefined the standards of healthcare through their unwavering dedication to innovation, setting new industry benchmarks, and substantial contributions to their communities.

The Healthcare Asia Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's remarkable initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].