AFP, Makati Med ink MOA to beef up military health facilities

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MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Makati Medical Center Foundation (MMCF) on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) as part of efforts to strengthen the capabilities of military hospitals and treatment facilities nationwide.

Outgoing AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., and MMCF chairman Manny Pangilinan signed the MOA, which will be submitted to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for approval.

“(This is) designed to strengthen the human resources of AFP hospitals and treatment facilities through conferences, workshops, training sessions, coaching and mentoring, and other interventions,” the agreement read.

The MMCF shall also share technical resources and open its medical facilities for training and learning exchange sessions at no cost to the AFP.

It will conduct an assessment of capabilities, resources, and competencies, as well as help in the development of strategic operational plans on policy, systems development, and human resource management.

The signing renews and expands the agreement that began in 2013.

The original MOA involved the enhancement of the AFP Medical Center, which has since expanded to 23 AFP medical facilities.

The new MOA seeks to strengthen the 46 AFP hospitals and treatment centers nationwide.

“We are happy to announce that the MMC Foundation is again partnering with the AFP, but this time for the organizational strengthening of 46 of its hospitals and treatment facilities throughout the country. This is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ for the kind of service that you render to all of us,” Pangilinan said.

The partnership has benefited the AFP through cross-training, donations of medical equipment, employment of joint disaster preparedness measures, and computerization of medical records.

Up to 200 military personnel, including battle casualties, were also provided with medical services at the MMC facilities under its Health Service Program.

“It is certainly reassuring to know, that as our soldiers are engaged in combat, that the chances of survival is higher with more skilled and capacitated doctors, and having well-equipped hospitals,” Madrigal said.

“I would like to extend our gratitude to the MMC Foundation for the different services that you offer, especially in the capacity-building and training of our doctors and the equipment that you provide, particularly in areas where we have more battle casualties,” he added.