BICOL MEDICAL CENTER triumphs at Healthcare Asia Awards 2026

The institution was recognised for strengthening digital hospital operations and reducing neonatal mortality.

Bicol Medical Center received accolades in the ICT Initiative of the Year - Philippines and Specialty Clinic of the Year (Neonatology) - Philippines categories at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026. These marked two major institutional reforms that improved operational governance and clinical outcomes.

From fragmented systems to a unified digital backbone

The ICT Initiative of the Year - Philippines recognised Bicol Medical Center’s transition from fragmented manual and unit-based systems to an integrated operational platform. The enhanced Integrated Hospital Operations and Management Information System consolidated admissions and discharge, emergency services, billing, cashiering, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, dietary services, referral management, medical records, and newborn care within a single system.

Real-time dashboards now allow leadership and frontline units to monitor patient volumes, service utilisation, operational bottlenecks, and financial performance. Digital PhilHealth claims management covers encoding, reconciliation, and reporting across high-volume service areas, reducing reliance on manual follow-ups and improving financial oversight.

Administrative modules extend to budgeting, disbursement, collections, procurement, inventory, and physical property monitoring. Human Resource Information Systems incorporate biometric timekeeping, payroll automation, employee portals, document tracking, attendance verification, and performance monitoring.

Together, these reforms strengthened coordination across clinical and administrative units, supporting more responsive hospital operations and improved service delivery in one of the region’s largest public referral hospitals.

Neonatal reforms reduce mortality through protocol-based care

The Specialty Clinic of the Year (Neonatology) - Philippines acknowledged measurable improvements in the Neonatal Center. Mortality declined from 25 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019 to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, reflecting an approximately 28% reduction.

Clinical reforms strengthened the BEmONC–CEmONC continuum and standardised the administration of antenatal dexamethasone and magnesium sulfate when indicated. Early non-invasive respiratory support became routine practice following the acquisition of CPAP and NIPPV systems, ventilators, and incubators. A Neonatal Emergency Transport System converted ambulances into mobile neonatal care units equipped with transport incubators, allowing safe referral of critically ill newborns.

Expanded Kangaroo Mother Care, revitalisation of the Human Milk Bank, integrated newborn and hearing screening, and governance-backed neonatal protocols reinforced consistency across shifts and units. A structured Bereavement Support Program introduced formal psychological support for families and staff.

Healthcare Asia Awards is an awards programme focused on acknowledging exceptional hospitals across Asia that redefine the standards of excellence in the healthcare industry. It proudly shines a spotlight for Asian hospitals that consistently go beyond conventional boundaries to provide top-tier patient care and have a lasting impact on their local communities.

The Healthcare Asia Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's remarkable initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].