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Rizal Medical Center and Makati Medical Center Foundation Establish Historic MOA

- CHERYL MAY C TAN, MD, FPSP

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The Rizal Medical Center, on June 19, 2012, entered into a historic pact with the Makati Medical Center Foundation by forging a Memorandum of Agreement atthe Rizal Medical Center Auditorium.

The MOA signifies a Public-Private Partnership between the Rizal Medical Center and the Makati Medical Center Foundation that aims to help transform RMC into a top caliber hospital within the next couple of years.

The launch, which coincided with the 151st birthday of national hero Jose Rizal, after whom the RMC is named, was attended by the respective luminaries of both institutions, as well as representatives from the government. The MMCF was represented by, among others, Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, MMC Foundationchairman, Ms. Conchitina Sevilla-Bernardo, president, MMCF Executive Director Ms. Marge M. Barro and Dr. Victor L. Gisbert, foundation Vice-President.Representatives of RMC were led by Medical Director Dr. Relito Saquilayan. Also present at the launch was DOH Secretary Dr. Enrique T. Ona, as well as PasigCity Congressman Roman Romulo.

Dr. Ona was quick to assure the employees and staff of RMC that they will not lose their jobs or their security of tenure.

On the contrary, focus will be on the improvement of RMC’s management processes and information system, as well as human resource training requirements and customer service and satisfaction, among others. No cash disbursements shall transpire during the course of this MOA, and instead, RMC Administrators, Department Heads and representatives will receive training on how to, according to Ms. Bernardo, “maximize funds without needing any supplementary budgets or additional funding from either the national orthe local government in order to be of service to its constituency.” All this shall be accomplished through an exhaustive six-month workshop beginning in July.

Ms. Bernardo further added “There is a saying that you teach a man to fish, you don’t give him fish.”

This saying is culled from the original quotation, “Give me afish, and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish, and I eat for a lifetime.” In considering this concept, the MOA will turn out to be a great boon for RMC, which will beable to, and capable of, sustaining its operations, and eventually improving its overall services to the public.

In echoing Ms. Bernardo’s sentiments, MMC Foundation executive director Marge Barro explained that “the pioneer program also looks at equipping hospital managers with skills to convert facilities, such as the parking lot, cafeteria and pharmacy, into ‘profit centers’ to make the hospital more sustainable.”

RMC was selected for this pioneer program considering its strategic location, allowing it to cater to the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, Manila, Antipolo, Taguig and the town of Pateros. And with the projected success of this venture, a larger majority of the population will benefit from RMC’s improved and elevated services.

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