RITM, led by OIC Director IV Dr. Celia Carlos, attended the Opening Ceremony of the Department of Health’s National Hospital Week (NHW) Celebration at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) on August 5, 2019.Together with Finance Division Chief Elmer Herrera, Quality Assurance Office Head Dr. Edison Alberto, Planning Office Head Judy Dorothy Madarcos, and Biologicals Manufacturing Division Chief Dr. Noel Macalalad, RITM participated in the Thanksgiving Mass, followed by a Unity Walk with the 22 participating hospitals and delegates, and the ribbon cutting of the NHW Exhibit. In his inspirational speech during the opening ceremony, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III highlights the important role of hospitals in achieving universal health care.
The opening ceremony was followed with a half-day Health Promotion and Free Clinic on August 6 at Barangay Barangka Ibaba, Mandaluyong City, attended by BMD Chief Dr. Macalalad; Dr. Marc Castellano from the Medical Department; and Rosemarie Bautista, Abella Rabadan, and Pauline Mendoza from the Nursing Department.
Meanwhile, RITM submitted two entries for this year’s Research Forum at the Dr. Enrique T. Ona Auditorium of the NKTI Diagnostic Center on August 8. A total of 16 for the public health programs/services and six for hospital operations and management categories were submitted from the 22 participating DOH hospitals. Science Research Specialist I Melissa Ann Jiao from the National Poliovirus Laboratory of the Virology Department made it to the top three of the oral presentation for both categories. RITM took home the 1st runner up award in the Public Health Programs/Services Category for Jiao’s research entitled “Stool Survey for Non-Polio Enteroviruses among Health Children ages 0-5 years old in the Philippines.”
For this year’s Mr. and Ms. Health competition, participants showcased their talent and wit at the Talent Competition on August 7 at the Philippine Heart Center. Christine Teodones from the Nursing Department and Pons Kevin Soliveres from General Records Department represented RITM for this year’s competition.
Following the Talent Competition, the highly anticipated Mr. and Ms. Health Coronation Night took place on August 8 at the Cuneta Astrodome. RITM bets Teodones and Soliveres made it to the top 5 and top 10 respectively. Amidst erupts of cheers, Teodones took home four awards — Best in Talent, Best in Filipiniana, Best in Resort Wear, and Miss Montage International — and took home the 4th runner-up award. Dr. Maria Isabel M. Belizario from the RITM Dermatology Department took her final walk as the reigning 2018 NHW Ms. Health before the coronation. Representatives from NKTI and the National Children’s Hospital took home the title of the 2019 NHW Mr. and Ms. Health respectively.
The Sports Fest at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Manila served as the last activity for the week-long celebration. On August 9, participants and delegates from the participating hospitals battled it out in four categories — relay, basketball, tug of war, dodgeball — and the ballroom dance competition for the title of NHW Sports Fest Champion. RITM bagged the 2nd runner-up award for the Latin American category of the Ballroom Dance Competition.
The Philippine Heart Center is set to lead the 2020 DOH NHW Celebration.
by Ma. Patricia Lansang, Project Evaluation Officer II, Communication and Engagement Office