Serbisyong Bayanihan

ANTIPOLO CITY, PHILIPPINES — Fatima University Medical Center (FUMC)-Antipolo has been formally recognized by German medical technology company ZEISS as a Global Training Facility, strengthening its role as a training hub for ophthalmologists in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

The recognition was highlighted during an awarding ceremony held on September 24, 2026, at the Eugenio Lopez Center in Antipolo, attended by FUMC officials, ophthalmology specialists, ZEISS representatives, and other guests.

The program featured messages from FUMC officials and ZEISS representatives, including Cindy Sim, Head of Refractive, ZEISS Medical Technology – Business Segment, Southeast Asia, and Andreas Bartels, Clinical Application Support Director for Refractive Lasers from Carl Zeiss.

Sim said the designation gives doctors in Southeast Asia the opportunity to access mentorship and training as they begin performing refractive surgery.

“So FUMC is important for Southeast Asian doctors because it gives them a facility, a place to really get started if they want to perform refractive surgery.”

She emphasized that technology alone is not enough to advance refractive surgery, noting the importance of having experienced mentors and a dedicated training facility.

According to Sim, FUMC's investment in advanced technology and its comprehensive facilities can expose visiting doctors to the latest innovations in refractive surgery.

“Having a good training facility in this region will give new doctors, young doctors, a helping hand to get started and be more confident in delivering the best possible outcomes for their patients.”

Strict Criteria for Global Training Facilities

Bartels explained that only a limited number of training facilities receive the designation worldwide, with ZEISS maintaining strict standards for centers that provide training.

“We just have a handful of training facilities around the world, and we have very strict criteria that need to be fulfilled, especially about the clinical excellence, of course, and accessibility and things like that.”

He also cited feedback from doctors who have trained at FUMC, saying ZEISS continuously monitors trainee satisfaction.

Bartels likewise highlighted the role of Dr. Vicente Santos, Jr., MD, DPBO, President of FUMC, as one of the mentors for the SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) procedure.

“We are very glad that we have him as one of the mentors, especially for SMILE, which is a minimally invasive refractive surgery.”

Bartels described Dr. Santos as a pioneer of the procedure in the Philippines and said his expertise and commitment to patient outcomes were among the factors considered in identifying FUMC as a training center.

“He was the pioneer of this method of SMILE in the Philippines.”

Dr. Vic Santos, Jr.: Recognition for FUMC and the Philippines

For Dr. Santos, Jr., the recognition represents more than a personal achievement. He said the designation reflects FUMC's contribution to advancing knowledge and training in laser refractive surgery.

“Malaking bagay po para sa akin at, mas importante para sa hospital at siguro sa mas malaking pananaw para sa ating bansa ng Pilipinas na kinikilala na po tayo na isang world-class, world-standard training facility para sa kaalaman ng laser refractive surgery.”

Dr. Santos said FUMC aims to share its knowledge and experience with doctors who want to learn advanced refractive surgery techniques.

He also stressed the importance of continuously learning and keeping up with developments in medical technology.

“I'm very proud, and I couldn't be any happier. But the work goes on. Marami pa kaming kailangan gawin para to give credence to this honor... The learning never stops.”

Patients to Benefit from Advanced Training

Also sharing her experience was Atty. Dot Gancayco, host of Serbisyong Bayanihan-UNTV, who recently underwent the SMILE procedure at FUMC-ANTIPOLO.

Gancayco described the procedure as life-changing, especially because she noticed improvements in her vision quickly after surgery.

“Right after the surgery, na napakabilis lang naman, nag-i-interview na rin ako sa kanya. Kinausap ko siya parang walang nangyari.”

She recalled being able to use her cellphone without eyeglasses just hours after the procedure and later read documents and sign checks without needing corrective eyewear.

Gancayco also described how her improved vision allowed her to see details in her surroundings that she previously could not clearly distinguish.

“Dati, nakikita ko lang green. Ngayon nakikita ko na yung porma ng mga leaves.”

She also congratulated Dr. Santos, Jr.,  for the recognition, citing his role in mentoring and sharing his expertise with other doctors.

“Napakahusay niya, napakabait niya kasi siya ay nagse-share ng knowledge niya, nagme-mentor siya sa mga ibang doktor, not only here but in the entire region.”

With FUMC now recognized as a global training facility, ZEISS and the medical center aim to further support knowledge-sharing and skills development among ophthalmologists in Southeast Asia, to help doctors gain greater confidence in performing advanced refractive procedures and ultimately improving patient care.

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES — A new era in medical imaging is taking shape as Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) inaugurates its NAEOTOM photon-counting CT, one of the latest innovations in computed tomography designed to deliver highly detailed images while using significantly lower radiation doses, making MMC the only hospital in the Philippines to offer the interventional option.

Photon-counting CT technology represents a major advancement from conventional CT scanners. Unlike traditional systems that use energy-integrating detectors, photon-counting CT directly detects individual X-ray photons and their energy levels—allowing for high-resolution images, spectral information, and reduced image noise.

According to Dr. Genevere Serna-Santos, Chairperson of the Department of Radiology at Makati Medical Center, one of the technology's major advantages is its potential to significantly reduce radiation exposure.

“The photon counting CT is the innovation in computed tomography,” Dr. Santos explained, citing three major advantages: lower radiation dose, improved image quality, and faster scan time.

For patients, this can mean obtaining detailed CT images with substantially less radiation than conventional CT imaging.

Dr. Santos also highlighted the new scanner's speed, saying a chest scan can be completed in seconds.

This faster scanning capability can be particularly beneficial for pediatric patients, who may have difficulty remaining still during conventional CT examinations and may sometimes require sedation.

Dr. Jackson Dy, Chief of the Section of CT-MRI, Department of Radiology at Makati Medical Center, said the technology also gives radiologists a clearer view of anatomical structures and possible abnormalities.

With sharper images and better delineation of structures, radiologists can identify pathology more clearly, potentially helping referring physicians arrive at more informed management decisions.

MORE THAN JUST LOWER RADIATION

One key distinction of MakatiMed's new facility is that its photon-counting CT includes an interventional option found in only one other hospital in Southeast Asia, allowing the technology to support image-guided procedures in addition to diagnostic imaging.

This makes the MakatiMed installation distinct from photon-counting CT systems that are focused primarily on diagnostic imaging.

Makati Medical Center already provides interventional radiology services, where imaging technologies such as CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, and ultrasound guide minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

The hospital's new photon-counting CT therefore expands the technology's potential applications—from detecting and characterizing disease to supporting image-guided interventions.

BENEFITS FOR CANCER, HEART AND LUNG IMAGING

The physicians also pointed to potential applications in oncology, pulmonology, and cardiovascular imaging.

According to Dr. Santos, the technology can provide finer detail of structures such as bones and generate spectral imaging information that can be particularly useful in evaluating cancer patients.

Dr. Dy likewise cited the ability to visualize structures such as the coronary arteries, including vessels affected by dense calcifications associated with atherosclerotic disease.

Photon-counting CT can also image the body from head to toe, allowing physicians to examine multiple areas with a single advanced CT platform.

A SIGNIFICANT STEP FOR PEDIATRIC IMAGING

For children, speed and radiation reduction can be especially important.

The physicians explained that conventional CT examinations may require a pediatric patient to remain completely still, sometimes requiring sedation and coordination with an anesthesiologist.

With the faster acquisition of photon-counting CT, examinations can potentially be completed before significant movement occurs.

Dr. Santos described the technology's speed in practical terms: a pediatric chest CT can be completed in only a few seconds.

This may reduce the need for sedation in appropriate cases while also providing high-quality diagnostic images.

MakatiMed's new installation adds another significant capability through its interventional option, broadening how photon-counting CT can potentially be utilized in patient care.

Internationally, photon-counting CT is being adopted for applications involving the heart, lungs, bones, cancer imaging, and whole-body examinations. Research and clinical reviews have identified higher spatial resolution and radiation-dose advantages as among the key areas of interest for the technology.

For Makati Medical Center, the inauguration marks another step toward integrating advanced imaging technology into diagnosis and minimally invasive patient care—giving physicians access to faster scans, lower radiation exposure, and more detailed images, while opening additional possibilities for image-guided interventions.

The Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International, Inc. (BMPI) – UNTV and the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (DJFMH) have formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), bringing together the reach of public-service media and the expertise of one of the country’s leading government healthcare institutions.

The partnership aims to bring trusted health information and healthcare closer to Filipinos, helping the public make informed health decisions and access appropriate medical care.

As health concerns and medical information continue to reach the public through various platforms, access to reliable and credible information has become an important part of making sound health decisions. Through this collaboration, BMPI-UNTV and Fabella seek to make health information grounded in medical expertise more accessible while strengthening pathways to appropriate healthcare services.

A Level III specialty and end-referral teaching and training hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital has a 700-bed capacity and specializes in Obstetrics, Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Newborn Medicine, and Pediatrics. Under the Department of Health, the institution plays a significant role in providing specialized care, particularly in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health.

Fabella’s role extends beyond patient care. It is also a teaching and training institution, providing accredited residency and fellowship programs and serving as a national training center for key maternal and neonatal health programs. Its work encompasses clinical education, research, health promotion, and community-based initiatives, reinforcing its position as an institution that contributes not only to the delivery of healthcare but also to the continuing development of the country’s health workforce.

This direction is reflected in Fabella’s goal of becoming the National Apex Hospital for Reproductive Health by 2030—a vision that seeks to position the institution as a benchmark for advanced medical care, specialized training, clinical research, and integrated patient referral systems in reproductive health.

The goal also points to a broader evolution of Fabella’s role in the healthcare system. Beyond its established expertise in maternal and child health, the institution aims to further expand specialized services for women, newborns, and children; strengthen national leadership in education and clinical research in obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics; and build stronger service delivery networks and referral pathways that can help patients access the care they need.

This vision complements BMPI-UNTV’s public-service mission, where information serves as an important bridge between institutions and the communities they serve. Through its partnership with Fabella, UNTV can help bring credible medical knowledge closer to the public while providing a platform that can connect audiences with healthcare services and trusted sources of information.

The collaboration is particularly meaningful in an environment where health information is abundant but not all information is reliable. By bringing together UNTV’s reach and Fabella’s medical expertise, the partnership creates an opportunity to help Filipinos distinguish credible health information, better understand health concerns, and make more informed decisions about seeking care.

It also supports a broader understanding of public service: healthcare is not only about treating patients when they become ill. It is also about educating communities, strengthening referral pathways, advancing medical knowledge, and making reliable information accessible before, during, and after a person seeks care.

As Fabella works toward its 2030 goal of becoming the National Apex Hospital for Reproductive Health, its partnership with BMPI-UNTV adds another avenue for bringing its expertise and public-service mission closer to the people.

Through the MOA, the two institutions bring together a platform that reaches people and medical expertise they can trust—with a shared commitment to making trusted health information and healthcare more accessible to Filipino families.

Ultimately, the partnership looks beyond the signing itself. It is a step toward building a stronger connection between credible information, specialized healthcare, and the people who need both, helping empower Filipinos to make better-informed health decisions and take meaningful steps toward healthier lives.

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Two Merit Awards may be the headline, but behind Capitol Medical Center’s latest achievement is a deeper story—one shaped by 56 years of healthcare service, purposeful communication, and a commitment to create meaningful change beyond the hospital walls.

Capitol Medical Center (CMC) continues to build on its 56-year legacy after earning two Merit Awards at the 22nd Philippine Quill Awards. The recognition highlights how the institution uses communication not simply to share information, but to engage people, encourage accountability, and create meaningful impact.

But what made these initiatives stand out?

More Than Just a Message

The two awards recognized the CMC Signature Sound and Capitol C.A.R.E.S. (Commit, Act, Reduce, Educate, Sustain) – “Basura Ko, Responsibilidad Ko.”

The CMC Signature Sound helped strengthen the hospital’s digital identity and brand recall. Meanwhile, Capitol C.A.R.E.S. turned waste management into a shared culture of responsibility and sustainability.

Though different in purpose, both initiatives show the same thing: communication does more than inform—it can inspire people to act.

This reflects CMC’s long-standing commitment to “Right Care, Right Here.” For more than five decades, that commitment has extended beyond patient care to include innovation, community engagement, and social responsibility.

Part of a Bigger Achievement

The Philippine Quill Awards recognition is not CMC’s only recent milestone.

Capitol Medical Center was also recognized at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026 in Singapore, receiving the Patient Safety Initiative of the Year – Philippines award for its “Lean On Me: Supporting Safety, Preventing Falls” initiative.

Together, these recognitions offer a glimpse of what lies behind CMC’s achievements: a continuing effort to find better ways to communicate, care, and improve the healthcare experience.

Taking Care Beyond the Hospital

CMC’s commitment to service also reaches beyond its facilities.

Capitol Medical Center is a partner of Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI)-UNTV in public service, bringing together CMC’s healthcare expertise and UNTV’s public-service platform to help make health information and services more accessible to Filipino communities.

For CMC, service does not end at the hospital door. It also means sharing knowledge, encouraging responsible choices, and finding more ways to reach the people who need healthcare.

More Than an Award

Ultimately, CMC’s latest recognition is about more than trophies.

It represents the people, ideas, and purpose behind the work—from initiatives that encourage responsible action to efforts that promote patient safety and partnerships that bring healthcare closer to the community.

Congratulations to Capitol Medical Center on these well-deserved achievements!

After 56 years of service, CMC continues to move forward while staying true to its promise of “Right Care, Right Here.”

Because behind every award is a story of people working together, finding better ways to serve, and creating an impact that reaches far beyond the recognition itself.

And for Capitol Medical Center, the journey continues.