Over 50 patient leaders and patient advocates from several countries in the region gathered at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City for the first Asia Patient Innovation Summit (APIS).
With the theme “Transforming Healthcare to Make People Well and Keep Them Well,” the regional summit was intended to actively seek out and listen to insights from the patient community in order to create people-centered health systems.
“The agenda of this important summit was co-developed by patient leaders across the region who share a common vision of creating people-centered healthcare systems and empowering patient communities to take charge of their own health rather than being passive recipients of health services,” said International Alliance of Patient Organizations board member Karen Alparce Villanueva.
International Federation of Psoriasis Association treasurer and first APIS Organizing Committee Chair Josef de Guzman, meanwhile, underscored the challenges faced by people with psoriasis who struggle to get a correct diagnosis or adequate treatment.
“The first APIS is a major step towards strengthening collaboration among patient communities and consolidating our insights to address gaps and hurdles in the patient’s journey through the healthcare system,” said De Guzman.
Cancer Coalition Philippines president Paul Perez, on the other hand, reiterated the need to work together in empowering patient communities, inspiring breakthroughs, and catalyzing the adoption of innovations and good practice models for safe, quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare.
“Only through a patient-centric health system can we achieve better health outcomes and brighter futures for all,” said Perez.
St. Luke’s Medical Center president and chief executive Dr. Arturo S. De La Peña said, “St. Luke’s Medical Center highly values patient-centered care. Through outstanding clinical outcomes and great patient experience, the needs of our patients come first.”
One of the key principles of the Novartis Commitment to Patients and Caregivers is “respecting and understanding the patient community perspective,” according to Novartis Asia Cluster patient advocacy head Christine Fajardo.
“The first APIS is gathering the leaders in patient advocacy and empowerment in order to generate innovative ideas, including digital technology, on how to improve patient outcomes and how to ensure the patient voice is an integral part of the healthcare system,” said Fajardo.
The first APIS was co-organized by Novartis, St. Luke’s Medical Center, IAPO, IFPA, CCPh, and Asian Institute of Management.
The summit featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers that included IAPO board members Dr. Ratna Devi and Ya Hsin Wang; David Palacios, head of Global Pharma Patient Advocacy, Novartis; Dr. Sandra Navarra, founder of Lupus Inspired Advocacy; Professor Chih-Liang Yaung, chairman of Taiwan Alliance of Patients’ Organizations; Yu-Hsin Yang, former secretary general and current chair of Taiwan Organization for Disadvantaged Patients; James Kissel, director of Summit Program (Asia) at Rare Cancers Australia; Carmen Auste, chair of Childhood Cancer International; De Guzman; Dr. Dela Peña; Jugo Tsumura, country president and managing director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines; and Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, co-chair of Cancer Coalition Philippines.