Mary Mediatrix Medical Center (MMMC) has established an international collaboration with Inspire Healthcare Singapore and the Singapore Nurses Association (SNA) to support the development and launch of its specialized Geriatric Unit. This strategic initiative reinforces the healthcare institution’s commitment to addressing the evolving medical and personal needs of an aging population across Southern Luzon. By partnering with established regional healthcare leaders, the hospital aims to elevate local clinical standards, enhance professional capabilities, and lay the groundwork for long-term, patient-centered care.
The comprehensive partnership focuses on strengthening MMMC’s overall geriatric care ecosystem through specialized training programs, knowledge exchange, and the adoption of recognized international best practices. Rather than merely expanding physical infrastructure, the primary focus centers on empowering healthcare professionals, reinforcing care delivery systems, and cultivating sustainable healthcare models designed specifically for older adults. Addressing the complex requirements of older patients involves a multidisciplinary approach that addresses medical, functional, and personal well-being to uphold health, comfort, dignity, and independence.
Highlighting the transformative vision of this cross-border effort, Dr. Artemio Cabrera Salvador, MMMC Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the organizational focus behind the initiative. “For Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, this partnership is more than the establishment of a new unit. It is about building a stronger system of care for our older adults by investing in our people, strengthening our capabilities, and learning from international best practices,” said Dr. Salvador.
A key dimension of the initiative involves integrating nutritional support into older adult care workflows. Through its engagement with Inspire Healthcare, MMMC aims to explore opportunities to strengthen clinical nutrition as a critical component of a holistic healthcare framework. Jasmine Goh, Group CEO of Inspire Healthcare, underscored the importance of this integrated focus: “Good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining health and improving quality of life, particularly among older adults and individuals managing chronic conditions. Through this partnership with Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, we hope to share our experience and expertise while exploring collaborative approaches that support more comprehensive and holistic geriatric care,” Goh said.
Clinical training and workforce development will be driven in conjunction with the Singapore Nurses Association, represented by its President, Samantha Ong. The association will provide specialized geriatric care training for MMMC’s nursing personnel and allied healthcare professionals, sharing established methodologies to enhance local capabilities. “Our role is to share with them our decades of experience and best practices in geriatric care, to help them take care of the elderly in the Philippines.” Ong further emphasized the capabilities of Filipino nurses alongside the immense value of adopting proven regional practices to strengthen elder care across the country.
The establishment of dedicated geriatric services arrives at a critical juncture for the regional healthcare system. According to Jose Ronaldo De Los Santos, MMMC President and CEO, developing specialized geriatric services is timely as the country prepares for the healthcare needs of an aging population. “We are thankful to international partners like Inspire and the Singapore Nurses Association who would be sharing their knowledge and best practices with us,” he said.
This strategic collaboration represents a pivotal milestone in MMMC’s journey to becoming a trusted hub for geriatric medicine throughout Southern Luzon. Anchored by its foundational guiding philosophy, Alagang May Malasakit, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center continues to prioritize continuous capability-building and workforce empowerment, ensuring older adults and their families receive compassionate, responsive, and dignified clinical care.