Renewal

SINGAPORE — I had my company-sponsored executive check-up at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Center in Singapore, recognized throughout the region for offering specialty services and top-notch physicians. There are so many Filipinos including some of my friends who have taken advantage of the state-of-the-art equipment and excellent facilities offered by Singapore. Unfortunately, I had already made my arrangements before I found out that Makati Medical Center is also offering the same services and facilities.

Ever since Metro Pacific took over, a lot of improvements have been done to upgrade the facilities and services of Makati Med, with some P1.6 billion allocated for initial expansion plans. The hospital now has the latest in medical equipment such as the 64-slice CT scanner (said to be the gold standard in diagnostic computed tomography or CT imaging technology), with state-of-the-art diagnostic and intensive care facilities that can rival the best in other hospitals in the region and even the US.

It has centers of excellence that adhere to global standards, among them the wellness and executive health center with comprehensive services and programs for busy corporate executives. The changes that have been happening in Makati Med are certainly welcome since they make it easier for more Filipinos to obtain excellent medical care without having to go to the United States or other places. 

One of my friends recommended Mount Elizabeth after having his executive check-up done there. I understand it has been the recipient of a number of awards for medical quality service, and also offers a call bell service, among others. It is equipped with the most modern medical equipment, which some say may be even more state-of-the-art than many hospitals in the US. Aside from the 64-slice CT scanner, they have other hi-tech equipment and robotic surgery which they started using in 2004. 

Singapore is enhancing medical services perhaps because they see the potential to increase tourism revenues from foreigners seeking medical care. In fact, a Singapore-based company recently unveiled a web-based medical service facility, with “iMedical-butlers” offering advice through the internet. Travel arrangements and placing appointments to appropriate hospitals are also some of the services provided by the company.

I was attended to by Dr. Maurice Choo whose specialty is interventional cardiology. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and was the chairman of the quality assurance committee of Mount Elizabeth. He was also chairman of the Singapore Ministry of Health’s review committee for national specialty centers. I am told that Dr. Choo is also the doctor of Lee Kuan Yew (now Singapore’s Minister Mentor) and is the choice of government officials even in neighboring countries in Asia.

Like in most major hospitals in Singapore, there was a Filipina medical attendant, making me feel like I never left home. Filipino medical attendants are in great demand and are well-appreciated because of their competence and dedication. 

The executive check-up is normally a two to three-day procedure to find out if one is in good health, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of having this done regularly especially as you join the “seniors’ club.” Just like any other machine or equipment, one has to go through regular check-ups to find out if you are still in excellent condition.

Easter is a good time as any to undergo a medical check-up to refresh our physical well-being. After all, Easter Sunday is associated with renewal and rebirth, cleansing and rejuvenation. But in the same manner that we want to rejuvenate our physical health and maintain the fitness of our body, so must we also take this opportunity to renew our spirit. After all, Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Christ — symbolic of a new life full of hope and promise.

Filipinos are known for being religious, and they take so much pride in the fact that the Philippines is a bastion of Christianity. Despite the most difficult and challenging chapters in our history, Filipinos have proven to be resilient time and again, drawing on the deepest recesses of their faith to pull them through because of an unwavering belief that things will turn for the better in God’s own time.

Sadly, many Filipinos have become cynical because of the things happening in the country today. Some have even lost hope that changes for the better will happen after the two EDSAs, an experience which have left many Filipinos with a bitter taste in the mouth. Perhaps this is the time to draw out our hidden reserves of faith and renew our spirit of nationalism and patriotism as we continue to place more hope in this country. God gave us only one life and one country, and we must love both.

Next year being an election year, we will have the opportunity to choose a new leader — whoever that person will be — who is also morally upright and has the ability to rekindle patriotism among Filipinos, inspiring everyone into believing that we can always embark on a new beginning and to one day, bring this country towards the path of economic prosperity and greatness that it truly deserves. Our day will come.

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Just as we’re talking about the renewal of life, the helicopter crash in Mt. Pulag in Ifugao comes as very unfortunate news. My deepest sympathies go to the families of those who perished, especially Appointments Secretary Malou Frostrom whom I knew personally.

According to some people I talked with, the pilot took a lot of risk flying over an area known to suddenly close off with heavy clouds — making it very treacherous especially for helicopters. Any kind of aircraft, presidential or otherwise, must not be allowed to fly around that area especially in the afternoon, whether in good or bad weather.

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