A pharmaceutical company has donated a customized mobile hematology and oncology treatment unit to the Andres Soriano Foundation.
Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) Inc. donated a first of its kind, customized mini bus converted into a mobile treatment unit for the exclusive use of the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital, in support of the Andres Soriano Foundation’s hematologic and oncologic programs.
“As a company dedicated to caring for Filipino families, we make sure to care for all our stakeholders in every life stage and every need state,” said Dr. Erwin Benedicto, senior manager of Scientific Affairs and Medical Compliance of JJPI.
He added, “With the donation of this mobile treatment unit, we hope to educate more Filipinos about the different hematologic and oncologic diseases, as well, as encourage them to seek treatment when necessary.”
The unit also provides access to educational materials about various blood cancers and treatments available.
Managed by experts and doctors of the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital, the unit will soon be deployed to communities within Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
“Blood cancer and diseases affect thousands of Filipino lives each year but access to healthcare and treatment facilities is still limited. With this donation from Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) Inc., we, along with our partners at the Cancer Institute, hope to expand the reach and treat more Filipino patients suffering from hematologic and oncologic diseases, and lessen the burden of Filipino families,” said executive director Lemia L. Simbulan of the Andres Soriano Foundation.
The Cancer Institute is the only national referral center for tertiary care, providing direct and quality patient services to thousands of indigent Filipinos all over the country, which according to Dr. Jorge Ignacio, chairman of the Cancer Institute and section head of Medical Oncology of the Philippine General Hospital, proves to be difficult considering the overwhelming number of patients that comes in everyday—20 percent of which are cancer patients.
Dr. Ignacio said, “This donation will create many opportunities for us at the Cancer Institute and our patients. Given the accessibility this mobile clinic provides us, we foresee patient care response to go up by 20 percent as well as an increase in productivity among our partner-doctors and healthcare practitioners.”
Dr. Ma. Angelina Mirasol, section chief of Adult Hematology at the Cancer Institute of PGH also shared that, “The provision of the Red Van for the Hematology and Medical Oncology Units at the Cancer Institute will also create opportunities for outreach programs that will improve adherence to treatment through follow-ups and other projects.”
She added, “This will help most especially the indigent patients who may have difficulties in tucking in transportation in their expenses. In the future, this may even open doors for community-based research and training that will better the quality of care for our patients.”