STATE OF THE ART President Marcos officiates at the opening of Health Way Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) in Taguig City on Friday. Dr. Ramy Roxas HCCH medical director, gives a tour of the facilities for guests who also included Fernando Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Corp.; Paolo Borromeo, president and CEO of AC Health; Health Secretary Ted Herbosa; Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano.
Cancer patients in the country may find some relief from the huge financial burden imposed by the country’s third largest cause of death, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promising government-funded assistance.”We recognise that there are great financial burdens to cancer treatment, so to ease hardships on cancer patients and provide equitable access to cancer care, we have established the cancer assistance fund, which will pay for the cost of cancer diagnostics and laboratories not covered by Phil Health (Philippine Health Insurance Corp.),” the president stated on Friday, during the opening ceremony of the “first hospital in the Philippines dedicated to cancer care.”
High quality at a lower cost
Health Way Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) in Taguig City “can revolutionise the cancer care service industry in the (country),” according to PBBM, citing the facility’s “modern state-of-the-art equipment and leading medical professionals and oncologists.”
The medical centre, he said, “will positively reflect the country’s growing potential as the leading healthcare destination in Asia.”
The President also emphasised the government’s “strong partnership” with the private sector in strengthening the country’s healthcare system, which is aligned with the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan and the Integrated Cancer Programme, both of which are aimed at his administration’s goal of universal health care.
Mr. Paolo Borromeo, President and CEO of AC Health, one of HCCH’s investors, noted the many gaps in cancer care in the Philippines, with “over 100,000 cases of cancer diagnosed each year and at least another 100,000 undetected ” Many of those diagnosed were at a late stage, and were left untreated due to the massive financial burden, he said
“We built this hospital to help address these challenges,” Mr. Borromeo explained, adding that HCCH’s goal is to provide world-class care at a lower cost. Patients can take advantage of cutting-edge diagnostic equipment as well as comprehensive outpatient chemo services. In-patient and palliative care are also available.
According to its website, HCCH offers a full spectrum of cancer services, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. There are 18 chemotherapy infusion units, two linear accelerators (Linacs), and diagnostic and imaging machines at the hospital. It has a capacity of 100 beds and four wards separated by walls for added privacy.
Mr Borromeo stated that the hospital was able to broaden its reach with its “network of five hospitals, 16 outpatient centres, and over 200 clinics, as well as the Konsulta MD telehealth platform with its over 200 clinics.”” As a result, the facility can “screen more, detect earlier, and treat better,” he said.
Excellence centres
Doctors at the hospital stated in a video presentation that they had established four cancer centres of excellence: breast cancer, colon cancer, head and neck cancer, and lung cancer. According to the doctors, the centres allow patients to receive complete treatment in the hospital, saving them time and effort.
“We’ve made efforts to ensure that we provide end-to-end services to make it easier for patients and their families,” said Dr. Rizzy Alejandro, AC Health’s chief public health officer.
Mr. Borromeo also stated that HCCH has collaborated with international organisations such as Variant Siemens and Cancer Treatment Service International to provide “world-class” cancer expertise.
Its collaboration with Roche, MSD, and Astra Zeneca also makes it easier for patients to access the most recent therapies and medicines at more affordable prices.
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