A robust public-private partnership program on immunization and accessible healthcare were among the highlights of a recent high-level business dialog with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. organized by the US-ASEAN Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce in New York and attended by Zuellig Pharma Philippines, represented by market managing director Jannette Jakosalem.
The meeting was about about how inclusion, sustainability and healthcare could lead to a robust economy and resilient society in line with the president’s 8-point socio-economic agenda.
The roundtable discussion, on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, was also graced by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr.
Zuellig Pharma reiterated its commitment to Filipinos by championing quality and affordable healthcare access for all.
Zuellig Pharma said it is also committed to strengthening government and stakeholder engagement in the country, forging dynamic partnerships and further contributing to nation building.
It said that in the Philippines alone, some 3,908,295 COVID-19 infected Filipinos were reported in the past couple of years, resulting in at least 62,342 deaths.
For influenza and pneumonia, the Philippines has the 6th highest death rate in the world. Pneumonia was the no. 7 cause of death in 2021 with at least 32,000 deaths identified. As of August, the dengue case count in the country was 105 percent higher than in 2021.
Cervical cancer is also the second killer of women in the Philippines. Adult Filipinos are chronically infected with the Hepatitis B virus at an alarming 7.3 million cases. Among the countries with the highest number of rabies cases worldwide, the Philippines ranks no. 6.
The common flu also affects millions of Filipinos in terms of livelihood and productivity, contributing to an average of 7 days downtime to a typical workforce.
Jakosalem said the government and the public sector should work hand-in-hand to avert these life-threatening diseases impacting millions of Filipinos everyday through massive immunization.
“Energy source challenges and supply chain disruptions necessitate innovative and sustainable ways to deliver healthcare, and this is where Zuellig Pharma can help. Amid a backdrop of rising costs of energy sources globally, our proposal is to help design a robust partnership program on immunization to ensure sustainable supply chain structures and processes which enable greater cost effectiveness to drive logistical efficiencies,” said Jakosalem.
“President Marcos Jr.’s 8-point socio-economic agenda in the near and medium term stresses the importance of tackling health as a pre-requisite to a robust economy and an inclusive and resilient society. Zuellig Pharma is all for this and has made available the right digital solutions, tools, and systems to support both the private and public sector in championing this cause,” she said.
“Zuellig Pharma truly strives to address the health problems that plague Filipinos today and help them from the barangay level. We believe in empowering Pinoys with quality and affordable healthcare, and we look forward to continue to collaborate with the government especially the Department of Health to achieve this,” said Chito Maniago, head of Zuellig Pharma government affairs, communications and sustainability.
Zuellig Pharma upgraded the eZHealth digital app, which caters to the teleconsult, vaccination, diagnostics and other health needs of at least 3 million Filipinos.
