PROJECT KIDNEY CARE of the Bicol Medical Center: Pioneering the Philippines’ First Community-Based Campaign Integrating Kidney Health Advocacy and Hands-On IJ Catheter Care Training

By Jericho Jubert C. Guevara

Knowledge and Intervention for the Detection of Kidney Disease through Community Advocacy, Referral, and Education

Kidney disease remains a significant public health concern, often progressing silently until serious complications arise. Addressing this challenge requires not only hospital-based treatment but also stronger community awareness, early detection, timely referral, and competent frontline healthcare providers. Recognizing these needs, Project KIDNEY CARE was conceptualized by the Bicol Medical Center – Hemodialysis Unit to bring renal health education and practical clinical training closer to communities, empowering public health professionals to contribute to safer and more responsive kidney care.

Led by Victor Raja David V. Gumabon, RN, MAN, CNN, DIH, the initiative integrates chronic kidney disease awareness, kidney injury prevention, appropriate referral, and patient safety. Its advocacy also highlights the renal complications of leptospirosis, a potentially life-threatening infection that can cause acute kidney injury and may require emergency dialysis. Through community education, the project promotes early consultation and helps correct misconceptions about dialysis, emphasizing that dialysis for acute kidney injury may be temporary when kidney function recovers.

Project KIDNEY CARE was officially launched on October 6, 2026, at the Bicol Medical Center Auditorium. Its distinguishing feature is the integration of kidney health advocacy with practical instruction on internal jugular (IJ) catheter care and dressing for healthcare professionals working in Rural Health Units (RHUs) and other public health facilities.

The initiative is presented as the first health advocacy campaign of its kind in the Philippines to teach RHU personnel and other public health facility professionals proper IJ catheter care and dressing, with participants required to perform return demonstrations of the procedures. This practical approach moves beyond lectures and information dissemination, requiring participants to demonstrate their understanding and application of essential patient-care techniques.

Proper IJ catheter management is crucial for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Inadequate handling, poor dressing technique, and lapses in infection prevention can expose patients to catheter-related infections and other serious complications. By incorporating hands-on learning and return demonstrations, Project KIDNEY CARE seeks to strengthen healthcare workers’ competence and reinforce safe practices across healthcare settings, including facilities that may not routinely provide specialized renal services.

The initiative also extends beyond the boundaries of Bicol Region. Participating municipalities include areas outside Region V, such as Tagkawayan, Quezon, reflecting the project’s potential to reach healthcare professionals and communities beyond its immediate regional base. This broader participation underscores the importance of sharing renal health knowledge and practical patient-safety skills across geographical boundaries.

The program builds on Gumabon’s experience in renal nursing, healthcare workforce development, and public health advocacy. By connecting specialized clinical expertise with the needs of frontline health workers, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between hospital-based renal care and community-level health services.

Leptospirosis remains an important component of this advocacy. Severe cases can result in acute kidney injury, sometimes necessitating temporary dialysis. Public understanding of the disease, early recognition of warning signs, and prompt medical consultation are therefore essential. Integrating leptospirosis education with kidney health promotion helps communities understand the consequences of delayed treatment and the importance of timely intervention.

Project KIDNEY CARE is envisioned as a continuing initiative rather than a one-time activity. The next implementation is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, providing an opportunity to expand participation, reinforce clinical competencies, and sustain community-based renal health education.

Ultimately, Project KIDNEY CARE represents an effort to make kidney health a shared responsibility. By combining disease awareness, leptospirosis-related kidney injury prevention, appropriate referral, and practical IJ catheter care training, it aims to strengthen frontline healthcare capacity and improve patient safety. Its long-term aspiration is to bring essential kidney health knowledge and safer care practices closer to every Filipino community.