More than a year into this pandemic, the Philippines is again faced with another significant surge in COVID-19 cases. This surge no doubt has many concerned about the consequences for the national economy and the lives of millions of Filipinos.

This resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country, despite being home to one the longest lockdowns in the world, has Filipinos looking for other innovative solutions to combatting this pandemic.

Globally, new vaccines, accurate testing kits, contact tracing apps, e-health services, and AI-powered public health management systems and technologies are the primary weapons utilized to combat the pandemic. Indeed, the impact of these innovations in the health care sector are pivotal to controlling the spread of COVID-19. On a broader level, they also improve the quality of health care, reduced costs, and improved access to public health services in general.

As the Philippines continues to face public health challenges, the Stratbase ADR Institute organized a virtual town hall discussion to bring attention to the importance of enabling health solutions and innovations to improve the Philippine Public Health system.

By bringing experts from the public, private, and civil society sector together in this discussion, it is our hope to raise awareness for the potential of current and future innovative solutions in the health sector, the challenges these solutions can address, and the strategies needed to enable them to make an impact.

Program

Opening Remarks
Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit
President, Stratbase ADR Institute

Updates on the Philippine Digital Health Interventions
Dr. Enrique Tayag
Director IV, Knowledge Management & Information Technology Service, Department of Health

Providing Better Healthcare Services through Digital Technology Solutions – Makati City Experience
Hon. Mar-Len Abigail Binay
Mayor, Makati City

Choosing the right tools to re-open economies from COVID-19
Mr. Richard Harrison
Senior Business Development Manager APJ, ThermoFisher Scientific

Comparing COVID-19 Vaccine Technologies
Dr. Beaver Tamesis
President, Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP);
Managing Director, Merck Sharp & Dohme, (I.A) LLC

Advocating for Comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness
Ms. Kara Brotemarkle
General Manager, Roche Philippines, Inc.

The Role of Digital Health Solutions and Cloud Technology in the Pandemic Response
Dr. Keren Priyadarshini
Regional Business Lead of Worldwide Health, Microsoft Asia

Importance of Health Innovations to improve the Public Health System – Patients’ Perspective
Ms. Cynthia Clemen Duntz
Vice President / Board Member, Philippines Diabetes Support and Awareness Group, Inc.

Closing Remarks
Mr. Orlando Oxales
Convenor, CitizenWatch Pilippines

Host and Moderator
Mr. Francesco “Paco” Pangalangan
Executive Director, Stratbase ADR Institute