- Swiss and Filipino stakeholders in the healthcare sector gather at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Mandaluyong City to present and learn from innovative health policies and programs being implemented by Switzerland and the Philippines.
- "Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Access to Quality Healthcare: Aspirations in the Philippines and Switzerland" is organized by the Embassy of Switzerland and ADB in partnership with Novartis and other Swiss healthcare companies operating in the country.
Mandaluyong City, Philippines, March 20, 2017 – Swiss and Filipino stakeholders in the healthcare sector gathered today at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Mandaluyong City to present and learn from innovative health policies and programs being implemented by Switzerland and the Philippines.
"Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Access to Quality Healthcare: Aspirations in the Philippines and Switzerland" is organized by the Embassy of Switzerland and ADB in partnership with Novartis and other Swiss healthcare companies operating in the country.
“This forum aims to help the Philippines and other ADB developing member countries transitioning to universal health care cope with tough challenges. These challenges include aging populations, the rise of non-communicable diseases, increasing demand for quality healthcare services and lack of healthcare providers, system inefficiencies and financial constraints, increasing mobility of healthcare providers and rising costs of new health technologies,” said Dr. Eduardo Banzon, Principal Health Specialist, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, ADB.
“Developing new and innovative ways to enhance healthcare access in developing countries is one of the top priorities of Novartis. We are privileged to share lessons from our access approaches, which include shared value and zero-profit initiatives, patient assistance programs, as well as philanthropy,” said Dr. Juergen Brokatzky-Geiger, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility, Novartis.
“Novartis is privileged to support this timely forum that will present innovative Swiss and Philippine health policies and programs. These innovations can inform and facilitate universal health coverage efforts and strengthen local government health care systems of the Philippines. These best practices can likewise guide the UHC efforts of other ADB developing member countries,” said Ms. Cheryl Maley, President and Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.
“It is fitting that we are holding this collaborative health forum this year, as 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of cordial bilateral ties between Switzerland and the Philippines, which have been characterized by regular political dialogue, extensive trade and ad hoc humanitarian aid operations after natural disasters,” said H.E. Andrea Reichlin, Ambassador and Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
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