PH Embassy Visits Filipino Liver Transplant Patients in Delhi Hospitals
Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio, Vice Consul Mark Anthony P. Dizon, and other Embassy officials meet with families of Filipino patients at Max and Apollo Hospitals. (New Delhi PE photos)
NEW DELHI 02 January 2025 — A Filipino-style get-together made Christmas away from home more cheerful for Filipino liver transplant patients at two major hospitals in New Delhi on 17 December 2025, as they received a visit from the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino Community in India.
Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio and the Embassy Team visited a total of 12 Filipino patients undergoing life-saving surgery and treatment at the Max Super Specialty Hospital and the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, both in South Delhi.
At Max Hospital, the Embassy team had a cordial get-together with five pediatric patients and their parents, as well as one adult patient. The Embassy turned over care packages and financial assistance from the Philippine Government. On hand for the encounter were hospital officials led by Senior VP Dr. Gurpeet Singh, General Manager Mr. Abishek Jain, and Dr. Subash Gupta, Chairman of the hospital’s Center of Liver and Biliary Sciences.
From Max Hospital, the Ambassador and his team moved to Apollo Hospital, where together with Mrs. Zenaida G. Rizaldo, a Delhi-based Filipino lending support to Filipino patients, they broke bread and engaged in fellowship with six pediatric liver transplantees and their parents, who similarly received care packages and financial assistance. Present were Senior VP Dr. Harinder Singh Sidhu, Senior Consultant and Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Anupam Sibal, and Mr. Varun Sukhija.
At both visits, the Embassy team received briefings on the two hospitals’ respective live-donor liver transplant services and track record of reliably treating Filipino liver patients, especially pediatric biliary atresia.
Since its first successful living donor liver transplant in 1998, India has grown to become a major hub for the procedure, combining high success rates and cost-effectiveness.
At both engagements, Ambassador Ignacio conveyed the Embassy’s hopes and wishes for the Filipino patients’ speedy recovery, and the Embassy’s commitment to dispensing its Assistance-to-Nationals mandate.
The Ambassador also thanked the hospitals for their role in saving the lives of numerous Filipinos over the past decade. Citing the Philippines’ own repute as a regional wellness and medical tourism destination, especially for Pacific Island countries, he underscored the value of further strengthening healthcare sector partnerships between the Philippines and India.
The Embassy-led event underscored the Embassy's commitment to fostering community support and providing meaningful assistance to Filipinos undergoing life-saving medical procedures in India. Third Secretary Mark Anthony P. Dizon, head of the Embassy’s ATN section, and the Embassy's personnel and staff were also present. END
Ambassador Ignacio and the Embassy Team were warmly received by officials of Max and Apollo Hospitals. (New Delhi PE photos)
Philippine Government welfare assistance and financial aid being handed over by Ambassador Ignacio to the families of pediatric liver transplant patients. (New Delhi PE photos)
For more information, visit https://www.newdelhipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://twitter.com/PHinIndia https://www.instagram.com/phinindia or https://www.facebook.com/Philippine-Embassy-in-India-348528665275556/.