The dialogue brought together representatives from healthcare institutions, professional societies, patient organizations and academia to exchange perspectives and align on priority policy considerations that will inform the upcoming CRM Policy Forum on 30 July 2026. Building on the outcomes of the 2025 CRM Roundtable Discussion, the event continued the collective effort to advance a more integrated, patient-centered, and evidence-informed approach to CRM care in the Philippines.
Mr. Yves Aguilos, Head of Government Affairs and Data Protection Officer of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) welcomed the participants. In his opening message, he reaffirmed GPCCI’s commitment to fostering multi-sectoral policy dialogue, recognizing that complex public health challenges such as CRM diseases require sustained collaboration across sectors and disciplines.
Dr. Russell Villanueva, Head of Human Organ Preservation Effort (H.O.P.E) of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) presented findings from the paper he co-authored, Cost-of-Illness Analysis for Chronic Kidney Disease Management in the Philippines. The presentation, provided an evidence-based assessment of the economic burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), highlighting that its impact extends beyond direct healthcare expenditures to include productivity losses, caregiver burden, and reduced quality of life for patients and their families. He underscored that investing in prevention, early detection, and timely intervention is not only clinically beneficial but also economically prudent, providing strong evidence to inform more sustainable healthcare financing and policy decisions on CKD and related CRM conditions.
Dr. Rohini Omkar Prasad, Director for, Research and Advisory and Regional Director of Southeast Asia ACCESS Health International (AHI) presented the Philippine chapter findings of the Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Policy Report. She emphasized in her presentation that cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases are best understood and managed as interconnected conditions rather than isolated diseases, given their shared risk factors, overlapping patient populations, and compounding impact on health outcomes. Dr. Prasad highlighted the need to strengthen primary healthcare, expand early screening and detection, improve coordination across the health system, and reinforce existing policies through a unified CRM framework supported by evidence-informed decision-making and sustained multisectoral collaboration.
Building on the plenary presentations, participants process to breakout discussions guided by two complementary lenses patient centered perspectives and health system perspectives to align on key policy considerations and actionable inputs for strengthening integrating CRM care in the Philippines. The discussions generated the following policy recommendations:
The CRM Policy Dialogue reaffirmed the importance of sustained multi-sectoral collaboration in advancing integrated, patient-centered, and evidence-informed cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) care in the Philippines. Anchored on the collective expertise and shared commitment of participating stakeholders, the dialogue surfaced actionable policy considerations that will help shape discussions at the upcoming Cardio-Renal-Metabolic (CRM) Policy Forum on 30 July 2026, bringing the country one step closer to a more coordinated, equitable and resilient approach to CRM prevention, management, and care.
GPCCI extends its sincere appreciation to ACCESS Health International and all participating organizations for their meaningful engagement and valuable contributions throughout the dialogue. Their insights and perspectives shared during the session enriched the discussions and will help inform the priority recommendations to be presented at the upcoming CRM Policy Forum on 30 July 2026.
GPCCI likewise acknowledges and thanks the following organizations for their participation and contributions to the dialogue:
- Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center
- Diabetes Advocacy Society (DASI)
- Diabetes Philippines, Inc.
- Dialysis PH Support Group Inc.
- Health Justice
- Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation Inc.(ISDF)
- Kidney Alliance Philippines Inc.
- Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines
- National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI)
- Philippine College of Physicians (PCP)
- Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP)
- Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO)
- Philippine Association of Diabetes (PADE)
- Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PCEDM)
- Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, Inc. (PCOM)
- Philippine Heart Association (PHA)
- Philippine Heart Center (PHC)
- Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH)
- Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN)
- UHC Watch
- University of the Philippines School of Economics
