The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) here on Thursday received two international awards during the International Hospital Federation’s (IHF) 44th World Hospital Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
Pierre Jabagat, executive assistant of VSMMC, said in a social media post that the Department of Health (DOH)-run regional hospital won the “Dr. Kwang Tae Kim Grand Hospital Bronze Award” and the “Seddiqi Holding Excellence for Corporate Social Responsibility Award”.
In the first award, Jabagat said VSMMC was cited for demonstrating “excellence or outstanding achievements in more than one service, program, or project”.
“It recognizes institutions which excelled in several areas including, but not limited to, quality and patient safety, corporate social responsibility, healthcare leadership and management practices and supporting sustainability initiatives,” he said.
Jabagat said the VSMMC is this year’s recipient of the Bronze Award in this prestigious category and made history for the Philippines.
On the other hand, the Seddiqi Holding Excellence for Corporate Social Responsibility Award was given to the hospital for its excellence or outstanding achievements demonstrated in advancing corporate social responsibility.
“Such achievements include activities which clearly demonstrate a commitment to corporate social responsibility like providing high-quality and affordable healthcare services for all; promoting inclusion and diversity in the workforce; (and) reducing inequalities in healthcare service delivery,” he said.
The hospital’s program in advancing universal healthcare in emerging and developing nations; developing innovative and ethical responses to social, climate and environmental issues; and harnessing a network of local stakeholders for sustainable and systemic responses to public health concerns were also recognized.
This year, the VSMMC was also given an “honorable mention” for its “Malasakit Center: Compassion Through Linking Patients and the Government”.
Malasakit Center
VSMMC was chosen by Malacañang, through the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) headed by Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, as pilot hospital for the first Malasakit Center in the country.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go worked for the institutionalization of the Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop of all medical assistance from Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Office of the President.
The Malasakit Center Act (Republic Act 11463) was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December of 2019. The country now has 148 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
The IHF Awards 2021 in Barcelona is in line with the IHF’s 44th World Hospital Congress held on November 10 or November 11 in the Philippines.
There were more than 250 entries all over the world, according to IHF during the awards night.
Innovative healthcare system
“With these international recognitions, we are all reminded with our vision to be the globally recognized multi-specialty academic medical center that delivers holistic and innovative healthcare with utmost respect for human dignity. We live with the challenge,” Jabagat said.
The regional hospital situated in this capital city has been at the forefront in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) with most of its wards converted into isolation or treatment facility for patients tested positive of the virus since the start of the pandemic last year.
The hospital also became the venue of the ceremonial rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination for the medical front-liners, with its chief, Dr. Gerardo Aquino Jr., taking the first jab.
Source: Philippines News Agency