SwissCham Philippines engages with Department of Health to advance health innovation partnership in the Philippines

The Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines paid a courtesy visit to the Department of Health's Disease Prevention & Control Bureau on 12 February 2024. The meeting was a pivotal step in forging partnership with the chamber’s Life Sciences and Digital Health Innovation Cluster.

The primary objectives of the visit were to formally present key insights gleaned from the 5-part SwissCham Roundtable Series on Breast Cancer, showcase ongoing projects and initiatives of our Swiss companies on breast cancer, and explore ways to utilize health cooperation mechanisms between Switzerland and the Philippines under PH-EFTA FTA.

Our member-firms shared updates on their various initiatives related to community health development through Mission Leapfrog, best practices in supply chain strategies, health awareness campaigns, and innovative design thinking to navigate patient journey and address critical barriers. The role of local government units (LGUs) was recognized to cultivate localization of potential collaborations.

Jan Aura Laurelle Llevado, Division Chief of Cancer Control and Mental Health Divisions, underscored the longstanding partnership and emphasized the need to build on narratives and outcomes. Priority areas for assistance were outlined, with a critical focus on co-ownership by the DOH to ensure institutional development and sustainability of governance structures.

On the part of SwissCham Philippines, it will work on strengthening its Life Sciences and Digital Health Innovation Cluster by identifying priority areas to focus this year and work with DOH and the Swiss Embassy in Manila to create a suitable mechanism for regular exchange of health-related innovations.