30/09/2026
๐๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ถ๐ป ๐ . ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ช๐จ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ, ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ต, ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ | ๐๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ โ Southwestern University Medical Center had the honor of welcoming Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, MD, MHA, MMSc, during his visit to the medical center, providing an opportunity for SWUMed leaders to gain insights into the Departmentโs priority health programs and initiatives.
Secretary Mercado was accompanied by Dr. Joshua Brillantes, DOH Regional Director for Region VII, along with other officials from the DOH Central and Regional Offices.
During the visit, Secretary Mercado met with the leaders of SWUMedโs Medical and Management Committees, together with members of the SWU PHINMA executive team. Discussions focused on key DOH and PhilHealth programs aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, expanding access to essential services, and providing greater support for vulnerable and financially disadvantaged patients.
Among the programs discussed were PhilHealth Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT), the DOH Health Care Provider Network (HCPN), PhilHealth Zero Balance Billing and Global Budget Payment (GBP), and the DOH Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Preferred Provider Program.
Secretary Mercado also encouraged ๐ฆ๐ช๐จ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ leadership to maximize opportunities under various PhilHealth programs that benefit vulnerable sectors, including Z Benefits and cancer screening programs.
The visit highlighted the importance of working together with the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and private healthcare institutions to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for Filipinos.
For ๐ฆ๐ช๐จ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ, the engagement provided an opportunity to better understand emerging national health priorities and explore ways the medical center can contribute to their effective implementation at the local level.
๐ฆ๐ช๐จ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ is grateful to Secretary Mercado, the DOH Region VII team, and the DOH Central and Regional Office officials for the meaningful engagement and visit.
