(Manila, Philippines) – From November 14-15, the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) held inaugural health dialogue in Manila, Philippines. This event consisted of a series of high-level engagements on priority healthcare issues with key Philippines government agencies. The event was co-led by Ms. Florina Vistal, Chief Country Representative for the Philippines of USABC, and Mr. Andreas Michael Riedel, President and Managing Director at MSD and Vice Chair of USABC’s Philippines Committee.
“Meaningful dialogues between the public and private sector are the foundation of innovative partnerships and collaboration in the healthcare sector,” said Ms. Florina Vistal of USABC. “The Council and its members stand ready to assist the Philippine Government in promoting safe healthcare services, harnessing technology for prompt service delivery, and prioritizing disease prevention for the well-being of the population” she added.
The health dialogues included meetings with the Senior Staff of the Philippines Senate Committee on Health and Demography, as well as senior officials from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD); the National Privacy Commission (NPC); the Department of Science and Technology – Health Technology Assessment Council (DOST-HTAC); the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
During the meetings, member companies had the opportunity to deepen engagements with the Government of the Philippines in the areas of digitalizing healthcare systems, implementing capacity building for health technologies, promoting sustainable healthcare financing solutions, and strengthening the country’s primary and service care network. In support of the Government’s priorities to advance Universal Health Care coverage and digital transformation in the healthcare industry, the discussions enabled a multi-stakeholder approach in identifying the necessary steps to achieving a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare system in the Philippines.
Companies who participated in the health dialogues include: Jhpiego, MSD, Viatris, Zuellig Pharma, Roche, SC Johnson, and Herbalife Nutrition.
