Iloilo City: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 6 (Western Visayas) convened stakeholders for a two-day conference on Healthcare Information Management System (HIMS), as the region continues to establish itself as a leading destination for healthcare technology services.
According to Philippines News Agency, DTI-6 Director Rachel Nufable highlighted that the HIMS industry offers significant employment opportunities and can enhance local healthcare systems while fostering economic growth in the region. Nufable emphasized the potential for the industry to generate numerous high-value jobs and attract international companies to Western Visayas, transforming it into a hub for health and life sciences and the HIMS capital of the world.
Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut remarked that the HIMS sector is becoming essential to the modern economy by improving patient care, promoting operational efficiency, and advancing data-driven decision-making through the integration of healthcare and information technology. She noted that Western Visayas, particularly Iloilo City, is leading this change due to its robust educational infrastructure and a substantial pool of healthcare and IT graduates.
Data from the Iloilo Federation for Information Technology indicates that Iloilo City hosts over 122 IT-BPM firms, many of which focus on healthcare-related services, directly employing 47,000 workers and contributing to approximately 188,000 indirect jobs. Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP) Vice President JL Botor expressed confidence in the region's trajectory towards becoming a global leader in the sector.
Botor pointed out HIMAP's 2028 target of 285,000 full-time equivalent jobs and USD6.7 billion in revenue, an increase from the current 190,000 jobs and USD4.2 billion. He suggested that with government and private sector interventions, the region could significantly boost its growth and attract more investors.
To address the growing demand, Nufable mentioned the need for a comprehensive review of local capacities and goals, including an original target of 20 to 30 major healthcare-focused BPOs. Current efforts focus on advocacy and promoting career paths in the industry.
A significant outcome of the conference was the signing of a memorandum of understanding to develop and promote the HIMS sector. This agreement involved the Department of Education 6 (Western Visayas), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Information and Communications Technology Confederation of the Philippines, and HIMAP to align courses and programs with industry needs.
