Ayala Group to invest P2B for standalone cancer hospital

The Ayala Group on Wednesday announced plans to invest some P2 billion to establish a specialty standalone cancer hospital in Metro Manila.

In an e-mailed statement, Ayala Corp. (AC) said the facility will be a 100-bed facility and will be undertaken by its unit Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health).

“Cancer is now the third leading cause of death in the Philippines, and unfortunately, we struggle with poor outcomes. A key pillar of our advocacy is screening and early detection so that we can diagnose patients earlier, and provide them with more affordable high-quality cancer care,” said AC President and COO and AC Health Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

AC Health’s portfolio includes generic retail pharmacy chain Generika Drugstore, and community-based clinic operator FamilyDOC.

AC Health is also involved in health technology solutions through its HealthTech arm Vigos Health Technologies, its online pharmacy MedGrocer, and home health care platform AIDE.

According to the company, the goal is to provide “comprehensive high-quality” cancer care services at “more affordable” prices.

AC said the hospital will be a specialized center equipped with diagnostic equipment (including a PET Scan), chemotherapy facilities, linear accelerators for advanced radiation therapy, and operating rooms for the specialist surgeons.

To be led by local oncologists, the hospital is set to offer a range of services, the hospital will be led by some of the top local oncologists, working in a dedicated group practice as part of multi-disciplinary care teams.

“We are working with some of the most respected names in the local oncology field, and we are delighted that they share our vision for this Cancer Hospital,” said AC Health President and CEO Paolo Borromeo.

“I think having a specialized cancer hospital in the Philippines is long overdue, and our goal is to redefine cancer care by serving a broader segment of Filipinos, while providing quality of care that matches global standards,” he elaborated.

The announcement comes after the passage of the Cancer Control Act (RA 11215), which allows for the creation of cancer specialty hospitals and clinics by the private sector.

The law also expands cancer education and screening efforts, and PhilHealth benefits for cancer patients. — MDM, GMA News