Philippine Hospital Association takes the lead during the National Hospital Week Aug 6-9 when the PHA Tuesday led the launch of the National Hospital Week through the ceremonial laying of wreath at the Bantayog ni Rizal in Luneta. PHA’s chapters nationwide held their own celebrations as well. Dr. Edgardo Salud chairs this year’s celebration, assisted by PHA’s executive director Climaco Caliwara, Dr. Ryan Cua and the PHA Secretariat. The NHW is covered by Presidential Proclamation 181 S.1993, signed by then-President Fidel Ramos. Aug 6 is the birthday of the late Sixto Orosa who drafted Act 2168 of the Philippine Legislature establishing provincial hospitals throughout the country and which subsequently developed into a national hospitals system. The wreath-laying ceremony was followed by breakfast at the Manila Hotel Centennial Hall 1, followed by the First Thelma Navarette-Clemente Memorial Lecture Series. Medical Directors, Administrators and Officers of various health related organisations also attended the ceremonies. PHA’s president Huberto Lapuz welcomed the guests and shared his insights on the challenges to be faced by hospitals in the years to come, i.e. Phil. Health Facilities Development Plan, the Universal Health Care and Climate Change. PHA president emeritus Ruben Flores delivered the tribute for Dr. Thelma Clemente. The lecture on Universal Health Care was delivered by DOH’s ASEC Elmer Punzalan.
