Interview with Dr. Saturnino Javier, Co-interim President and CEO of Makati Medical Center (Makati Med)

25 Oct Interview with Dr. Saturnino Javier, Co-interim President and CEO of Makati Medical Center (Makati Med)

How would you describe the current healthcare sector in the Philippines and what are the most significant trends and developments you’ve observed recently?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and morbidity in our region, followed by cerebrovascular disease and cancer. There’s a significant disparity in healthcare quality between the public and private sectors. Advanced technologies and specialist care are predominantly available in the private sector and concentrated in major cities like Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Consequently, expert physicians and advanced treatments are primarily found in these urban centers, leaving those in rural areas with limited access.

The public sector aims to provide the best possible care within its resource constraints, but many people cannot access the more advanced care available in big cities. Healthcare funding in the country comes from three main sources: government support through PhilHealth (less than half), out-of-pocket payments (less than half) and managed care or HMOs (10-12%). While we have highly trained physicians, many of whom have studied abroad, the main challenge is technological capabilities. Advanced hospitals are concentrated in major cities like Metro Manila and this disparity limits access to specialized care in other regions.

Makati Med is known for its world-class healthcare services. Can you provide an overview of Makati Med, its top-tier medical services and what achievements have contributed to the current hospital’s reputation?

Makati Med has a 55-year track record as a leading multidisciplinary, multi-specialty tertiary hospital providing advanced care. Our founders played key roles in establishing major medical societies like the Philippine Heart Association and the Philippine Association of Surgeons. We excel in cardiology, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology and orthopedics—referred to as our Congo Services. Our hospital is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including robotics, advanced PET scans, MRIs and CT scans.

Makati Med earned the Hall of Fame distinction at the 2023 Department of Health (DOH) Star Awards.How do these affiliations impact patient care and hospital operations?

Makati Med is one of only a few hospitals in the country with Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA), having successfully renewed it four times, with the next renewal due early next year. Achieving accreditation during the pandemic was particularly challenging and we take pride in overcoming these obstacles. Our ISO accreditations are also notable, but JCIA is especially prestigious, aligning us with top healthcare institutions globally. We are honored to have received the Hall of Fame distinction for four consecutive years for our COVID-19 response. As one of the first private hospitals to handle COVID-19 cases in 2020, we are proud of our leading role during the pandemic.

Recently, you launched the Heart Institute, which is pioneering advancements in medical research and investigation. Could you share some highlights about this field and the institute’s contributions?

Cardiology has been a core focus at Makati Med since its inception, with one of the founders being a cardiologist. Over the years, we’ve significantly advanced in this field. As a cardiologist myself, I felt it was time to consolidate our expertise in congenital heart disease, arrhythmias and congestive heart failure into a comprehensive program. This approach addresses the major cause of death in the country — cardiovascular disease. Strengthening our cardiac care was essential given the high volume of heart disease cases we manage.

How does the hospital integrate technological advancements into its medical services such as the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system?

Surgery is increasingly focused on less invasive approaches and Makati Med is at the forefront with our minimally invasive and robotic technologies. We recently acquired the latest DaVinci XI system, operational since May, which has been delivering excellent results. This technology benefits various fields, including urology, gynecology and colorectal surgery, with potential future applications in otolaryngology and thoracic surgery.

Additionally, Makati Med is among the few hospitals in the country with full DOH accreditation for stem cell therapy. While not yet standard for many diseases, it provides an option for patients who would otherwise seek treatment abroad.

How does Makati Med’s commitment to education, training and research contribute to healthcare excellence and innovation?

Our partnership with Asan Medical Center in South Korea is key to enhancing our liver transplantation program this year. This collaboration will help train our nurses and doctors to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Makati Med offers nearly 20 training programs and over 30 fellowships in fields such as cardiology, endocrinology, oncology and orthopedics. We prioritize community impact by extending training opportunities to healthcare professionals from provincial areas, helping to address the expertise gap in underserved regions. We also welcome doctors from distant provinces for training, provided they meet our standards, to ensure competent care at our hospital.

Due to space limitations, we’re exploring the possibility of expanding vertically or opening a new facility elsewhere, either within or outside Makati City. The new facility could be general or specialized, such as in orthopedics or cancer care. As interim medical director and CEO, expanding is crucial for us to serve more patients.

Which hospital services are ideal for promoting healthcare tourism in the country?

Makati Med offers a wide range of services, from dermatology and aesthetics to complex procedures like kidney transplantation. We have a medical concierge service to facilitate communication and have been accredited by the Department of Tourism as a tertiary care facility for medical tourism. We’re open to exploring collaborations and discussing how we can accommodate various treatments. While insurance coverage and specific details need to be worked out, we’re ready to engage in preliminary discussions and formalize partnerships as needed.

Do you have a final message for the millions of readers of USA Today about choosing the Philippines as their next business, tourism or investment destination?

Makati Med is a leading facility in Southeast Asia, offering the compassionate care Filipinos are known for. We extend this high standard of care to hospitals in Europe and the US through our skilled nurses and doctors. Known as the hospital with a heart, we pride ourselves on our heartfelt, compassionate service to all our patients.