AC Health eases financial burden for Filipino patients

US$55m invested in building a multidisciplinary cancer care hospital.

Although cancer is amongst the top causes of death in the Philippines, its treatment remains unaffordable for many, with an estimated minimum cost of P1m in the first year of diagnosis. Ayala Corporation (AC) Health plans to address this by building its cancer specialty centre in the country, the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital.

AC Health CEO Paolo Borromeo told Healthcare Asia that they invested US$55m (P3b) to build the centre offering a complete range of cancer services, from screening, diagnosis, treatment, to post-cancer care.

“Being able to create cancer screening programmes more broadly in our clinics, our other hospitals, and our digital platform, would allow us to screen properly and refer patients as needed to our cancer hospital,” said Borromeo.

Jimmy Ysmael, CEO of AC Health’s overall hospitals and clinics group, Healthway Medical Network, will lead the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital. Other top officials are Nona Ong, chief operating officer of Healthway Cancer Hospital, Dr. Manuel Francisco “Ramy” Roxas, medical director, and Dr. Conrado “Gary” Lorenzo, medical advisory council chairman.

Borromeo said there will be a soft launch in July 2023 whilst the cancer hospital’s full launch is scheduled in September.

Expensive equipment vs affordable cancer care

The 100-bed cancer specialty hospital in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines will offer a range of equipment for radiation oncology to surgery, chemotherapy, and palliative care. The hospital plans to install 18 chemotherapy infusion units, two linear accelerators (LINACs), and diagnostic and imaging machines.

Cutting-edge equipment at the hospital was puchased with the help of key partners Varian and Siemens Healthineers’ subsidiary, Varian – Cancer Treatment Services International, which is an established name in cancer diagnostics and treatment.

AC Health joined hands with Varian-CTSI in 2020 to develop and operate the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital and provide oncology services.

When asked if it is truly feasible to bring down treatment costs whilst investing in the latest technologies and innovations, Borromeo emphasised that they will leverage the AC Health ecosystem and partnerships with other providers to deliver the best value for patients.

“Improving patient outcomes will always be at the centre of everything we do in our cancer hospital, so we are constantly finding ways to expand options for cancer treatment. For instance, we are providing alternative and affordable options for chemotherapy and [cancer] medication by leveraging our pharmaceutical business and bringing in biosimilars and generic equivalents, which could significantly cut the cost of chemotherapy,” said Borromeo.

Cancer treatment outlook

Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the country, according to Philippine Statistics Authority. On top of this, six out of 10 Filipinos die without consulting their physicians, a JCO Global Oncology journal showed.

But with developments such as the implementation of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, signed in 2019, AC Health believes more awareness and action in addressing gaps in cancer treatment can be created.

“More broadly, we hope that initiatives like ours and other investments in [oncology] will lead to better screening, lead to better treatment, and hopefully, help mitigate the effects of cancer on the Philippines and our society,” said Borromeo.

To cite a recent investment in oncology, the Marcos administration has approved the public-private partnership project for the Philippine General Hospital to establish a cancer centre. News reports said the project’s P6b funding will provide for 300 beds.

On the Philippine healthcare outlook, Borromeo said he sees more opportunities to decrease out-of-pocket spending and resolve geographical disparities that make access to healthcare services difficult.

As chairman of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Healthcare Team to the President, Borromeo said he sees developments in the national and local government’s goal to improve healthcare for all Filipinos.