Orthopedics and rehabilitation medicine play a crucial role in restoring mobility, relieving pain, and improving the quality of life for individuals affected by musculoskeletal conditions. This is particularly important in the Philippines, where rising road accidents and physical trauma have increased the need for effective orthopedic and rehabilitative care.
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues such as fractures, dislocations, arthritis, and sports injuries. Rehabilitation medicine specialists, or physiatrists, complement this by focusing on the recovery of movement and function after illness, injury, or disability — supporting patients in regaining independence and resuming daily activities.
For many Filipinos, the Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) in Quezon City has become synonymous with orthopedic and rehabilitative care. A 700-bed tertiary specialty hospital under the Department of Health (DoH), the POC celebrated its 80th founding anniversary this February. It stands as the country’s apex center for musculoskeletal disorders and trauma care and serves as a premier training ground for the nation’s orthopedic surgeons and physiatrists.
To further strengthen the country’s orthopedic and rehabilitation services, the DoH and POC are organizing the 1st National Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Summit on July 4 to 5 in Pasig City. With the theme “Strengthening the Referral Systems and Developing Regional Centers for Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Care,” this landmark event will bring together leaders and professionals from across the country — uniting public and private health institutions in a shared vision of equitable, decentralized musculoskeletal care.
Participants in the summit include medical center chiefs, department heads, public health experts, and private sector representatives. The goal: to create a robust referral system, build capacity in regional centers, expand training opportunities, and promote a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to orthopedic and rehabilitation medicine.
Strengthening local capacity means patients can access care closer to home — reducing unnecessary travel, delays, and complications. It contributes to a more efficient, resilient healthcare system that supports timely interventions and continuity of care. Moreover, empowering regional health professionals to become mentors and innovators helps elevate the entire healthcare landscape.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS AND SPEAKERS
POC Chief Dr. Jose Pujalte, Jr. will open the summit, followed by a keynote address by Dr. Jose Dante Dator, Executive Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).
In the session on Optimizing the Referral System, moderated by Dr. David Alagar and Lourdes Desiree Cembrano, experts will tackle key aspects of the Universal Health Care (UHC) framework. Dr. Michael Caampued, President of the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, will examine referral challenges under UHC. Dr. Melissa Sena, Director of the DoH Bicol Center for Health Development, will share insights on healthcare provider networks among hospitals.
Dr. Alvin Marcelo, Director of the Asia eHealth Information Network, will speak on the digitalization of patient referrals. Arturo Ongkeko, Jr. will discuss the integration of artificial intelligence and ethics in the referral system.
Sessions will also focus on specialized training and certification. Dr. Jose Ma. Bautista, Chair of Orthopedics at the Philippine General Hospital, will present on orthopedic subspecialties. Soledad Velorio, POC’s Chief Nurse, will discuss the certification of nurse specialists in orthopedic and rehabilitation care.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) will be a major theme. Dr. Hilton Lam, Director of the Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium, will explore innovative PPP models. Girlie Casimiro, Director at the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (formerly NEDA), will speak on aligning PPPs with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. Dr. Jack Arroyo of SMC Global Power Holdings will offer private sector perspectives.
Dr. Justinian Pimentel IV, President of the Philippine Orthopedic Association, and Dr. Maria Luisa Palabrica, Vice-President of the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine, will speak on the roles of their respective organizations in the national health delivery network.
Other key sessions include Consignment procurement of implants by Dr. Maria Lourdes Otayza, Chief of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital & Medical Center; Rehabilitation device hubs by Dr. Josephine Bundoc, UERMMMC; Referral systems development workshop by Roderick Napulan, Dr. Abdullah Dumama, Jr., and Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral; and ER referral networking (Tangguyob) by Dr. Michael Valderrama, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital.
Also at the center of the discussions are LGU-based referral systems by Dr. Angelina Tan, Governor of Quezon; Referral practice and patient flow by Dr. Jeffrey Castillo, Tondo Medical Center; and Maximizing PhilHealth reimbursements by Dr. Jose Chan, Chief of Northern Mindanao Medical Center.
The summit will conclude with a presentation of the POC’s referral system by Dr. Angeli Apalisoc and Dr. Kea Bravo, followed by closing remarks from Dr. Paul San Pedro, POC Chief of Medical Professional Staff.
Enhancing orthopedic and rehabilitation services across the country is not only about improving surgical techniques or increasing hospital beds. It is about building a fairer, more resilient health system that reaches every Filipino in need whether in the heart of Metro Manila or the rural provinces. With strong referral networks, capable regional centers, and empowered professionals, we can bring timely and quality care closer to home.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP). PHAP represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.
