SwissCham Philippines charts path for healthcare collaboration through its Life Sciences and Digital Health brainstorming session
The Swiss Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines has recently taken a significant step towards enhancing healthcare collaboration by hosting a Life Sciences and Digital Health Innovation Cluster brainstorming session. This initiative marks a strategic move to develop effective cooperation strategies in the healthcare sector between Switzerland and the Philippines, with a strong focus on establishing a comprehensive health cooperation framework that prioritizes areas such as medical regulation, technology assessment, and the expedited implementation of Universal Health Care.
This session saw the participation of leading member companies, including Roche Philippines, Novartis Healthcare Philippines, ERNI Philippines, and Zuellig Pharmaceuticals. These organizations reaffirmed their dedication to leveraging mutual benefits and driving forward healthcare initiatives that promise to enhance patient care and healthcare delivery in both nations.
A key component of the brainstorming session was the emphasis on engagement with Local Government Units (LGUs). The Chamber outlined plans to undertake courtesy visits to LGUs in the coming months to build stronger relationships with local authorities and identify collaborative opportunities to address health-related challenges at the community level. The Chamber visits to LGUs will focus on such areas as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and women’s health, among others. The planned LGU rounds will also explore potential advancements in health digitalization and innovation, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services.
The session underscored the importance of follow-up actions to ensure the momentum gained is translated to tangible results. Engagements with key governmental agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC), Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), and the Department of Health (DOH) have been planned. These interactions will facilitate the exchange of insights derived from economic reports and position papers, fostering a dialogue that supports healthcare innovation and improved regulation. The main goal is to advocate for a regulatory environment that is conducive to healthcare innovation, aiming to simplify and expedite processes, thus encouraging investments.
We encourage companies in the health and digitalization sectors to join our Life Sciences and Digital Health Innovation Cluster and work hand-in-hand to enhance market access and contribute to the overall healthcare of the Philippines. For membership inquiries and further information, please contact us at [email protected].
In photo (L-R): Christine Gueco, SwissCham Philippines Marketing Intern, Christian Fampulme, SwissCham Philippines Project Officer, Hazel Camille Chavez, ERNI Philippines Professional Business Development, Rizon Ruth Rizon, ERNI Philippines Senior Business Development, Renrose Magalona, ERNI Philippines Principal Business Development, Diana Edralin, Roche Philippines Country Manager, Christine Fajardo, Novartis Healthcare Philippines Communications & Engagement Head, Ella Reaviles, Roche Philippines Health Systems Partner, Kent Marjun Primor, SwisCham Philippines Director of Operations, and Ma. Teresa Dioko, Roche Philippines Health Ecosystem Chapter Lead.
