AVALANCHE OF INTEREST : MARATHON DIALOGUE, REGION 3 PHA CONFERENCE

If the volume of text reservations and inquiries were to be used as gauge by the Philippine Hospital Association, the upcoming Regional Conference at the Holiday Inn Hotel at Clark,Angeles City for Regional 3 members of the organization will be an SRO.

For those interested in acquiring more information about the event, herewith is a copy of the program:

The PHA 2012 BOARD AND OFFICERS shall be trooping in full force to Angeles City on February 26, 2012 for the PHA Region 3 Conference and Marathon Dialogue.  PHA President Atty. Bu Castro, M.D. leads the group and intends this conference to be a fruitful interaction amongst the stakeholders. As can be gleamed from the program and the array of resource personalities, it is his hope and prayer that appropriate information contributory to the resolution of problems and difficulties encountered by all parties shall be brought up.

For more details, interested parties may text the Executive Officer, Mac Caliwara at mobile number +639178511500 or email him at executive.officer@pha.ph.

President Bu CAstro intends to folow the same format in the succeding Regional Conference for Region 12 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City on March 25, 2012.

PMA-PHAP-PHA On Case Rates/Mix: Hospitals and Medical Groups Knocking!

The on-going dialogue of the Philippine Medical Association, Private Hospital Association and the Philippine Hospital Association on one side and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation on the other finds the issues to be still on the brewing pot.  After separate meetings by the respective stakeholders of each group, a recommended set of rates have been submitted to PHIC contained in a letter submitted today, January 16, 2012. 

The 4 page letter is posted herewith for the reference of interested parties.

The medical community is watching closely on the outcome of the discussions on the Case Rates/Mix Scheme initiated by PHIC as most feels that a carefull balancing of the concerns of both sides is the key to its success.

NEW PHA PRESIDENT CALLS FOR AN EMERGENCY MEETING ON DEC 14 2011

The issue on case rate/case mix payment scheme has rocked the medical community in the past  months. The new PHIC President is exerting efforts to correct any misimpressions / misinterpretations that may have been created by earlier pronouncements by PHIC on the matter. He has urged all concerned specialty groups to come out with their respective recomputations so that it may be given due course.

In this regard, the PHA President has taken it upon himself to coordinate efforts and activities in this regard.

Below is his NOTICE OF MEETING to all concerned, to be held on December 14, 2011 at 2:30-5:00pm at the PMA Board Room.

L.E.A.P. Reasons and Lessons From The PHILIPPINE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION’s 2011 National Convention.

The Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) stands by its mission of L.E.A.P, an acronoymn for Leading, Enabling, Assisting & Protecting Hospitals towards Quality Service.

ELEVEN HAPPY REASONS. The PHA’s reasons for being in a state of blissful daze and thankfulness come from the results of the 62^nd Annual Convention held on November 23-25, 2011 at Manila Hotel outlined as follows:

1.       It has attained an estimated 1,500 record breaking

            attendance and participants (including sponsors, guests, 

            support staff, etc) in its Nov. 23-25, 2011 Annual National 

            Convention held at the Manila Hotel.

2.       It has broken the record on the number of exhibitors.

3.       It has broken the record on the number of pre-registered 

            participants at 310 heads .

4.       The cover of the Convention’s printed directory and 

            souvenir program have been lauded by many participants

            as one of the best in design and printing through the use

            of spot UV technology.

5.       The tribute write ups on two outstanding women in the

            Philippine hospital industry, Dr. Fe del Mundo of the Dr. 

            Fe del Mundo Medical Center Foundation and Dr. Thelma

           Clemente of the Capitol Medical Center, were very much 

           appreciated by the respective families of the honorees.

6.       It has raffled off the most number of prizes, both major

           and minor.

7.       All its invited guests of honor came and regaled the 

            audience with their own brand of repertoire.

8.       It has elected its new set of Board of Directors, a new

            President and set of Officers and welcomed a new

            member of the Board (saying goodbye to one).

9.       The registration process was comparatively smooth and 

            has done away with the snaking long lines of the previous

            years.

10.   The computer assisted election process was very much

          improved than that of prior years and produced the

          winners immediately after close of the polls. This, in 

          contrast to the tedious manual counting of the past which 

          extended to about midnight.

11.  A PHA Provincial Council, the Capiz Provincial Council, came

       with their officers in full force and were exhilarated to be 

       inducted by the newly installed President of the PHA.

IMPROVEMENTS. Imperfections in this world is a reality that everyone must accept.  The bad must be taken in with the good . One can only learn from experiences so that mistakes of the past can be remedied and repetition in the future can be avoided as well.  Deficiencies have been duly noted by the organizers so that improvements can be instituted in future events.

The PHA attributes much of the improvements in communications with members and the support given by the Board in campaigning for attendance. It is however accepted that there are still a lot of room for improvements on the aspect of communications attributable to the inefficiencies of the snail mail system of the country.  However, with the relentless efforts of the concerned team and full support of the PHA Board of Directors on the Social Media Initiatives (Facebook, Twitter, Website, Email, Tumblr, Webinars, etc.) launched in early 2011, substantial improvements in communications are expected in 2012. The use of incentives and motivations were proven very effective , especially in the early birds registration campaign (cultural tour of museums, hospitality suite  and raffle prizes), maintaining audience attendance and attention during the sessions and ceremonies as well as encouraging members to go to the polling place and visit exhibitors booths. Raffle Prizes worth noting were:

·         For early birds registrants – an Apple IpodTouch and 
             Samsung Galaxy Mini Tab 5” courtesy of the PHA

·         For Attendance at the Fellowship – Toshiba Personal
             Laptop Computer donated by Governor Jericho Petilla 
             and Digital Cameras donated by BPI Leasing.

·         For noontime attendance to the BPI Leasing talk – SONY
             BRAVIA LED 32” TV and Digital Cameras and cellphones

·         For those who cast their votes – an Apple ipodTouch
             courtesy of the PHA

·         For those who stayed on for the closing Ceremonies – 2
             units Apple IPAD2 16GB courtesy of the PHA

In terms of improvements, one major thing that needs to be done for the 2012 Annual event is to plan early, preferably done by the First Quarter of 2012.  The theme should be crafted early so that topics and resource speakers can be lined up and sent out invitations 5 months before the event. Equally important is to designate the people who will be team leaders of the various major activities of the event and in as much details as possible list down their respective duties and responsibilities. Early reservations of the event place are also a must. 

2012 SET OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. The newly elected PHA Presidents faces a multitude of challenges for his term.  It consist not only of surpassing the records of the 62^nd Annual National Convention for 2012 but to bring forth forms of relief to the “battle-fatigued” hospitals owing to new and upcoming government regulations and legislations.

The following are the new Officers and Board of Directors of the PHA for the year 2012:

Atty. Bu Castro, M.D.

(from the Private Hospitals Sector)

President

Dr. Rudolfo Ante

(from the Private Hospitals Sector)

Vice-President – Luzon

Dr. Winifreda Cagulada

(from the Government Hospitals Sector)

Vice-President – Vizayas

Dr. Conrado Brana

(from the Government Hospitals Sector)

Vice-President - Mindanao

Dr. Jesus Jardin

(from the Private Hospitals Sector)

Treasurer

Dr. Janet del Mundo-Tan

(From the Government Hospitals Sector)

Secretary

Dr. Romeo Maano

(from the Private Hospitals Sector)

PRO

Dr.  Concepcion Lim

(from the Private Hospitals Sector)

Director

Dr. Edgardo Salud

(from the Government Hospitals Sector)

Director

Dr. AVelino Obispo

(from the Private Hospitals Sector)

Director

Dr. Ruben Flores

(from the Government Hospitals Sector)

Immediate Past President

Dr. Thelma Navarette-Clemente

President Emeritus

OUTGOING PRESIDENT, DR. RUBEN FLORES’ VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. Dr. Ruben Flores opened up with referral to the “Heroes” in the midst of his administration for the last two years as President of the PHA.  He laid down the many and substantial achievements attained during his terms of office which has as its focus and guide his “7 Point Agenda”.  He expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the general membership for their support and cooperation, the Board of Directors for their efforts and works , the Secretariat and others who in one way or another helped make his journey a fruitful one.

He deemed it fit to explain in his valedictory address as to why he has stepped down  despite doing a very good job in leading and bringing the organization to new heights. As was one of his 7 Point Agenda, he pushed for the amendment of the PHA’s by-laws especially on the issue of tenure of Officers.  All Officers are not to hold office for more than two consecutive terms in the same position. They may however run for the position of the Board indefinitely, except for the President, who, upon holding office as President for an aggregate period of 6 years will forever be barred from running as a Director. This provision ensures that other members are given the chance to serve in the National Board as President and that in the case of Officer position, provides dynamism and a system of check and balance.

He further reiterated the honors brought to the country and the organization by  the Asian Hospital Federation’s putting him in as President-elect for the years 2012 & 2013. This is to prepare him when he eventually assumes the position as AHF's President for the years 2014 & 2015.  He reiterated that the Philippines shall bid for the holding in the Philippines of the AHF’s 14-country membership International Conference.  Dr. Ruben Flores solicited the support of the general membership in this regard when the time comes.

2012 INCOMING PRESIDENT ATTY. BU CASTRO’s INAUGURAL ADDRESS.  Dr. Bu Castro was introduced as a native of Bugallon Pangasinan, a physician - lawyer , 54 yrs of age, graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas, lecturer, professor, book author,  former President of the Philippine Medical Association, President of the Association of All Health Organization of the Nation (AAHON) and former PRO of the PHA, among other things. His speech was described by the master of ceremony and PHA EO Mac Caliwara, as "short but powerful" centering on putting forward general words of caution to those would dare tax the patience of the PHA’s hospital membership. In the vernacular, President Bu Castro said , while pointing to the Board of Directors:  “SUBUKAN NILA SILA”.

In closing, he flashed to the audience a slide which summarizes in a nutshell what and how he intends to LEAP as PHA's President:

After “everything has been said and done” and when “things are over but the shouting”, it will be time again to go back to the business of rendering L.E.A.P. servitude to the PHA member hospitals towards Quality Service.

The new President and his set of Officers and Board will need all the prayers and support of everyone for 2012.

Front page of the national broadsheet Manila Bulletin

November 25, 2011 issue showing from left to right:

Dr. Edgardo Salud (PHA Treasurer and Director),

Speaker Sonny Belmonte , Dr. Ruben Flores (PHA President),

Dr. Thelma Clemente (PHA President Emeritus) and

Mayor of Manila Fred Lim.

The PHilippine Hospital Association and the RH Bill: "LIFE BEGINS AT FERTILIZATION".

Today, the Philippine Hospital Association's (PHA) blog site features the thoughts on the RH BILL of its Public Relations Officer (PRO), |Atty. Bu Castro, MD.,  currently a  Director of PHA . He is both a doctor and a physician and  is a pathologist by specialty.  He was President of the Philippine Medical Association and and Chairman of the Department of Forensic and Legal Medicine, St. Luke's Medical Center and William H. Quasha Memorial College of Medicine, and of the College of Medicine of MCU-FDT Memorial Medical Foundation, and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He is a founding partner of Castro Rebosa Rebosa Law Offices. He is likewise the Legal Counsel of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) and Board Member of the Philippine Hospital Association. Currently, he is the President of the Alliance of All Health Organizations of the Nation Philippines (AAHON-Phil).

His contributed blog follows:

"The PHA stand (joint with the PMA and the PHAP) on the RH bill needs some few further explanations.  Fr all its noble intentions and purposes, the PHA supports the RH Bill but only to that extent that it is founded on the principle that “life begins at fertilization”. There is overabundance of scientific facts supporting this stance and it need not be further elaborated here.  The PHA, however, stays away from the RH bill for all its tendency to result to abortion practices with the use of some kind of contraceptives.  This is adding to the fact that most of the contraceptives have been shown to have serious side effects on the mother.  Why should only the mother bear the brunt of the ill effects of RH bill such that the RH bill itself seems to be discriminatory against women.  

     On a secular level, if the RH bill is to achieve something, it is a nation that is so divided.  This must not be the history of the passage of a legislative bill into law.  For this reason alone, it would be better that the RH bill be shelved if only to avoid a nation in tremendous schism. If the RH bill is advocated to be pro-choice, then it has already achieved its purpose.  Let us leave the family in their quiet home and decide for themselves about the size of their family or choose which device they will employ to trim the number of children but not without, however, the mandatory knowledge about the contraceptives, their benefits, risks and side effects, and the alternative methods.  This is by the way already being done since then and up to now.    

     For the RH oppositors,  moral deterioration is the substance of the RH bill. For the supporters, it is all about the right of the mother to choose and decide what is good for her family.  For the PHA, it is both, but never for abortion and never to a nation so divided. – Dr Bu C. Castro, PHA PRO and Board of Director". 

SOCIAL MEDIA: Can It Be Of Help To The Nagging Communications Problems of PHA With The Membership?

As of to date, the Philippine Hospital Association has so far staged 3 Regional Conferences with the theme for 2011 of  “ Beyond the Hospitals Horizon: Embracing The Future”.

            February 2, 2011            Region III (C. Luzon)         Holiday Inn Mimosa, Angeles Pampanga

March 27, 2011             Regions VII & VIII             Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City

April 17, 2011                Regions I, II & CAR           Cebu Country Club, Baguio City

The PHA ensures that its members are able to attend the conferences at least cost. The PHA National Office contingent, Secretariat and the Board as host, lends their presence during the conferences to ensure that participants’ concerns are heard and addressed accordingly. The weeks prior to the conference keeps the PHA Secretariat busy running after resource speakers, program participants, preparing and mailing of the program. The monthly-one-weekend impositions on the time of the PHA National by the conferences can be taxing but nevertheless gives everyone a sense of fulfillment knowing that they have served the general membership. Cost of attendance, is a token amount of only Php 500/head, inclusive of information kit, raffle coupons, two snacks and one buffet lunch.

A perennial problem plaguing the PHA is the Non-Receipt of Notices of Conference sent by snail mail to  its members. Despite the Secretariat’s having mailed the notices way ahead of time, the organizations received feedbacks that there were hospitals who did not receive their notices.  Some hospitals that came to know about the conference from colleagues had to rush asking for permissions from their Superiors or governing body in order to be able to attend the Regional Conferences. Considering the number of hospitals involved in each conference, mailing of notices have been costly and repeating them several times before the conference can be unwieldy.

Going back to the seeming inadequacy of the announcement system for the conference, the matter has been seriously discussed by the Board of Directors of the PHA. They arrived at the following REMEDIAL MEASURES:

 

·         Allocate additional budget for small boxed space as newspaper advertisement for each conference for the purpose of improving dissemination of information  pertaining to the conference

·         Write letters to concerned Governors and Dept of Health informing them well ahead of the specific Regional  conference so that they can advise their concerned officials to take note of the specific date of the conference.

·         Continue sending by ordinary postal mail letter invitations about the conference

·         Fax copies of the letters of invitations to hospital members with contact particulars

·         Post details of the conference in the website of the organization

·         Send text messages to hospital members with contact particulars on file.

·         Improve the Secretariat’s database of members especially the contact particulars of each one (fax numbers, landline numbers, mobile number, email addresses) that will enable better inter-active communications.

·         Send people for formal training to avail of the benefits on improved communications brought about by social media (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Website, etc. )

The above measures were determined by the Board to be good to all concerned not only for the purpose of the Regional Conferences but as a continuing strategy for strengthening the foundation of the organization.  It can pave the way for a bigger voice by the organization, the better for it to be heard on issues that affects the general membership, among other things.

Social Media has been regarded mainly as an effective tool for business and marketing by organizations.  While PHA is a non-profit organization, it has now recognized that harnessing the various components of Social Media can help in the achievement of the organization’s objectives. The Social Media strategy can help PHA GET ITS MESSAGE OUT FASTER TO MORE PEOPLE. The Social Media vehicles can also improve enhance the image of the organization through improved awareness and recognition of the ideals for which it stand. A good BRANDING IMAGE can result to a credible and bigger voice that the organization finds useful in its avowed mission of Leading, Enabling, Assisting and Protecting (L.E.A.P.) Hospitals.

There are a lot of other good things that can be said about Social Media which I cannot hope to fit into this blog edition.  However, there are a lot of reading materials that can be “Googled” in the net which may satisfy whatever concerns anyone interested in the topic may have.  The organization, in its Regional Conferences this year, has included the topic of Social Media for hospitals, courtesy of its affiliated partner, COMLOGIK Business Systems, Inc.

Other organizations that are saddled with the same concerns cited herein may opt to adopt some or all of the remedial measures outlined above.

PHA E.O.

May 18, 2011