History of Medical Technology in the Philippines

Introduction

• The topic is the history of medical technology in the Philippines.

• The objective is to trace the history and development of the medical technology field in the country.

• Students will be able to familiarize themselves with medical technology practices in the Philippines and identify medical technology organizations.

"At the end of this learning session, the student must be able to trace the history and development of the medical technology field."

Trigger events for medical laboratory practice

• The first important event was the opening of the Swiss Canal, which facilitated the dissemination of information from the west to the east.

• The second event was during World War II when United States bases were built in Leyte, allowing the U.S. military forces to bring their healthcare team to the Philippines.

"What could have been the most important event that triggered the start of medical laboratory practice here in the Philippines? The first event is the opening of the Swiss Canal facilitated the dissemination of information from the west to the east. And the second one is, in 1944, during World War II, United States bases were built on the island of Leyte."

The establishment of the 26th medical laboratory

• During World War II, the U.S. military forces brought members of their healthcare team to the Philippines to address the health problems of American and Filipino soldiers.

• Medical facilities, including the 26th medical laboratory of the 6th U.S. Army Brigade, were made available in the Philippines.

• The 26th medical laboratory was located at Kirikati Street, Santa Cruz, Manila, now known as the public health laboratory.

• This information is important for the board examination.

"The 26th medical laboratory of the 6th U.S. Army Brigade. The said laboratory was located at Kirikati Street, Santa Cruz, Manila, now known as the public health laboratory, a division of the Manila Health Department."

Training civilians for the healthcare team

• In February 1944, the Philippines started training civilians to become members of the healthcare team.

• The sixth U.S. Army Brigade left the laboratory in June 1945.

• The laboratory was later endorsed to the National Department of Health, but the department did not seem interested in pursuing the laboratory's objectives.

"In February 1944, the Philippines started training civilians to become members of the healthcare team. The sixth U.S. Army Brigade left the laboratory in June 1945. The laboratory was endorsed to the National Department of Health, but the department did not seem to be interested in pursuing the objectives of the laboratory."

Early health institutions and hospitals

• The Spanish Empire established Manila as their capital in the late 16th century.

• The first hospital established by the Spaniards was the Hospital Real in Cebu in 1565, which was later moved to Manila to cater to military patients.

• Religious orders that came to the Philippines established health institutions for the poor and educational institutions for the elite.

• Various hospitals were founded, including San Lazaro Hospital for the poor and lepers, Hospital di San Juan di Dios for poor Spaniards, and Hospital di San Jose in Cavite.

"Even before the outbreak of the World War II class, the Spanish empire established Manila as their capital in the late 16th century. The first hospital the Spaniards established in 1565 is called Hospital Real in Cebu, which was then moved to Manila to cater to military patients. Members of religious orders who came into the country alongside the other Spanish occupiers, they establish health institutions for the poor and educational institutions for the elite. In 1578, the Franciscans built the San Lazaro Hospital for the poor and the lepers. In 1596, the Hospital di San Juan di Dios was founded for poor Spaniards. In 1641, the Hospital di San Jose was also founded in Cavite."

Establishment of the University of Santo Tomas and journals

• In 1611, the Dominicans founded the University of Santo Tomas, which established the first faculties of pharmacy and medicine in 1871.

• Journals for science and medicine, such as the Bulletin de Medicina de Manila, Da Revista Pharmaceutica de Filipinas, and Chronicas de Ciancias Medicas, were published.

• The Central Board of Vaccination started producing and distributing vaccine lymph in 1806.

• In 1876, provincial medical officers were appointed to provide healthcare services throughout the country.

"The Dominicans founded the University of Santo Tomas in 1611, which in 1871 established the first faculties of pharmacy and medicine. With the establishment of both health and educational institutions, there are also journals that were created for science and medicine that has been published, that includes Bulletin de Medicina de Manila, Da Revista Pharmaceutica de Filipinas, and Chronicas de Ciancias Medicas. The Central Board of Vaccination, which started producing and distributing vaccine lymph in 1806, had 122 regular vaccinators in Manila and other major towns by 1898. In 1876, provincial medical officers were appointed to provide healthcare services throughout the country."

Municipal laboratory and government laboratories

• In 1887, the Spanish authorities established the Laboratorio Municipal de Manila, which was used to examine food, water, and clinical samples.

• The Bureau of Government Laboratories was established under the Philippine Commission Act Number 156 in 1901, with the help of the Philippine Commission.

• The first bureau director was Paul Freyr, who provided adequate supplies and equipment.

• The building of the bureau was destroyed during World War II and is now occupied by the National Institutes of Health of the University of the Philippines Manila.

"In 1887, the Spanish authorities established Laboratorio Municipal de Manila, which is used to examine food, water, and clinical samples. With the help of the Philippine Commission in 1901, they were able to build the Bureau of Government Laboratories under the Philippine Commission Act Number 156. The first bureau director of the Bureau of Government Laboratories was Paul Freyr. Unfortunately, the building was destroyed during World War II, and the National

Training Program and Certification

• Trainees were mostly high school graduates and paramedical graduates.

• The training proved to be ineffective because the trainees were never motivated and there was no program that was supposed to last for a definite period.

• No certificates were issued to trainees.

"The training proved to be ineffective...no certificates were issued to trainees."

Formal Syllabus and Certificates

• Dr. Santa Anna was asked to prepare a six-month formal syllabus for the training program with certificates for the trainees upon completion.

• The training program ended in 1954 when the Bureau of Private Education approved a four-year course in Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.

• The Manila Sanitarium and Hospital opened the first school of medical technology in the Philippines under the leadership of Mrs. Wilia Hedrick, wife of Dr. Alvin Hedrick.

"Dr. Santa Anna was asked to prepare a six-month formal syllabus...The first school of medical technology in the Philippines opened."

Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology

• The five-year curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology was approved by the Bureau of Private Education in 1954.

• The school produced its first graduate, Dr. Jesse Umali, who later graduated as a doctor of medicine at the Far Eastern University and became a successful OB-Gynecologist in the U.S.

"The five-year curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology was approved...The school produced its first graduate."

Expansion of Medical Technology Schools

• In 1954, the Philippine Union College and Medical Sanitarium in Baisaka offered the first four-year Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology program.

• In 1956, the Philippine Union College had its first graduate, Dr. Jesse O'Malley, and the Blood Banking Law was approved.

• In 1957, the University of Santo Tomas offered medical technology as an elective to fourth and fifth-year BS Pharmacy students without the 12-month internship training.

• In 1960, Centro Escolar University offered BS Medical Technology and turned out its first batch of graduates in 1962.

"The Philippine Union College offered the first four-year Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology program...Centro Escolar University offered BS Medical Technology."

Medical Technology Schools in Mindanao and Visayas

• In 1961, Far Eastern University offered BS Medical Technology under the College of Medicine and turned out its first batch of graduates in 1963.

• The University of the Philippines started offering BS Hygiene.

• Immaculate Conception College, now known as the University of Immaculate Conception in Davao City, offered BS Medical Technology, becoming the first medical technology school in Mindanao.

• In 1962, the University of Santo Tomas formally offered BS Medical Technology, while the University of San Agustin offered BS Medical Technology, which is the first med tech school in the Visayas.

"Far Eastern University offered BS Medical Technology...University of San Agustin offered BS Medical Technology."

Professional Organizations and Accreditation

• In 1963, an organizational meeting headed by Chrysanto G. Almario was held, attended by professionals and members of the academia from the allied medical profession.

• In 1964, the Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) had its first national convention at the Far Eastern University Medical Auditorium.

• In 1966, Republic Act 4688, also known as the Clinical Laboratory Act, was approved, and PAMET was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

• In 1969, the Republic Act 5527, also known as the Philippine Medical Technology Act, was enacted into law.

• In 1970, the Board of Medical Technology was created, and the first licensure examination for medical technology was conducted, with Maredel P. Passage as the first board top notcher.

• In 1970, the Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology (PASMETH) was created.

• In 1972, during the declaration of martial law, the third week of September was declared as Medical Technology Week.

• In 1973, Presidential Decree 223 was approved, creating the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), which recognized PAMET as the only accredited professional organization of registered medical technologists in the Philippines.

"In 1964, the Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) had its first national convention...recognized PAMET as the only accredited professional organization."

Update in Curriculum and Name Change

• In 2006, schools and universities in the Philippines updated their curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (BSMT) program.

• The name of BSMT was changed to Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS).

• This change was implemented following the release of Memorandum Order Number 14 from the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) to rationalize medical technology education in the country.

"Schools and universities updated their curriculum and changed the name of BSMT to BMLS, following the release of Memorandum Order Number 14."

Inclusion of Pharmacology

• Pharmacology was included in the curriculum of BSMT/BMLS program.

• Students studying medical technology were now exposed to the study of pharmacology alongside other subjects.

"Pharmacology is also then included in the BSMT/BMLS curriculum."

Graduation of the First Batch of BMLS Students

• In 2010, the first batch of BMLS students graduated from the program.

• This marked an important milestone in the field of medical laboratory science in the Philippines.

"Last 2010, the first batch of BMLS students graduated."

Professional Organizations in Medical Technology

• Professional organizations are groups of professionals within a specific field who collaborate, network, and engage in professional development.

• In the field of medical technology, there are two main professional organizations in the Philippines: the Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health (PASSiMETH) and the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET).

"Professional organizations are assemblages of professionals within a particular specialization or professional field that come together for the purpose of collaboration, networking, and professional development or advancement."

"In the field of medical technology, we have two professional organizations: PASSiMETH and PAMET."

Introduction of PASSiMETH and PAMET

• PASSiMETH stands for the Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health.

• PAMET stands for the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists.

• These organizations play a crucial role in the development and advancement of the medical technology profession in the country.

"The Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health (PASSiMETH) and the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) are the two professional organizations in the field."

Current Presidents of PASSiMETH and PAMET

• As of now, the current president of PASSiMETH is Mr. Dean Bernard Yu Ebuen.

• The current president of PAMET is Mr. Romell F. Sacetta.

"The current PASSiMETH president is still Mr. Dean Bernard Yu Ebuen."

"The new and current president for PAMET is Mr. Romell F. Sacetta."

Reminder to Seek God's Will

• Before ending the lecture topic, the speaker reminds the audience to always seek God's will in everything they do.

• This biblical reminder emphasizes the importance of faith and spirituality in the field of medical technology.

"Before we end this lecture topic, I would want to remind you to always seek God's will in all you do."