Philippines’ first cancer hospital’s orders of business

Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, the Philippines' first dedicated cancer hospital to offer a complete range of cancer services, has reached 75% completion and is set to open by the third quarter of 2023. The hospital is expected to have a complete range of equipment and services, from radiation oncology, surgery, and chemotherapy, to palliative care. The hospital is under the leadership of Mr. Jimmy Ysmael, President and CEO of Healthway Medical Network, which includes its entire portfolio of clinics and hospitals, including the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital RCO.

Healthway Cancer Care Hospital has partnered with Siemens and Varian, leading equipment providers, especially in the field of oncology, to bring in the best fit possible machines and best-in-class global practices in terms of clinical workflows and processes. This is aimed at providing accessible treatment options for patients when bringing in biosimilars, generic alternatives, and best practices that can benefit the patient.

Healthway's CEO, Paolo Borromeo, said that the goal is to provide more affordable cancer care, given that cancer is still a huge financial burden to patients and families in the Philippines. He noted that the hospital's mission is to try to lower the cost of care where they can to provide more competitive and valuable services.

The Healthway Cancer Care Hospital's contribution to the company's overall portfolio is a specialty component, where they can harness the strength of the whole system. For instance, creating cancer screening programs more broadly in their clinics, hospitals, and digital platforms would allow them to screen and refer patients to the cancer hospital as needed. This will also allow them to provide accessible treatment options for their patients.

Initiatives like Healthway Cancer Care Hospital hope to help mitigate the effects of cancer on the Philippines and society. The National Integrated Cancer Control Act helps create more awareness and more action in addressing cancer. Other initiatives being discussed include a public-private partnership proposal for the Philippine General Hospital for a cancer hospital. These initiatives aim to improve the level of cancer care in the Philippines.

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