President's Corner /
Nemencio A. Nicodemus Jr., MD, FPCP
To my esteemed colleagues, mentors, and friends, it is with profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you tonight, having been elected as the President of the Philippine College of Physicians. I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me, and I promise to serve this esteemed organization with dedication and unwavering commitment.
This is a pivotal moment for healthcare in the Philippines. With the Universal Healthcare Act now in effect, we are on the cusp of a transformation that will fundamentally change how our people access and experience healthcare. And at the heart of this transformation, I firmly believe, lies the vital role of the internist.
As internists, we are the bedrock of adult healthcare. We are the diagnosticians, the navigators of complex medical landscapes, and the advocates for our patients’ holistic well-being. The Universal Healthcare Act calls for comprehensive and integrated care, and who better to deliver this than the internist? We are equipped with the breadth of knowledge and the depth of understanding to manage multiple comorbidities, to provide continuity of care, and to guide patients through the intricate pathways of the healthcare system.
Our role in implementing the Universal Healthcare Act is not merely passive. We are active participants, integral to its success. We must be at the forefront of developing and implementing primary care networks, ensuring access to quality internal medicine services for all Filipinos, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. We must champion preventive care, chronic disease management, and health promotion initiatives that are crucial for a sustainable and effective universal healthcare system.
But our vision extends beyond implementation. We must also focus on advancing internal medicine as a major specialty. This means investing in training and education, ensuring that our future internists are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. It means fostering research and innovation, pushing the boundaries of what we know and how we treat. It means advocating for the resources and support that internists need to deliver the highest quality of care.
And crucial to this advancement is our collaboration with the government on health-related policies. The Philippine College of Physicians must be a strong and respected voice in shaping the future of healthcare in our nation. We have a wealth of expertise and experience that is invaluable to policymakers. We must actively engage in discussions, provide evidence-based recommendations, and advocate for policies that prioritize patient care, support healthcare professionals, and strengthen our health system.
This collaboration is not a one-way street. It requires open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to improving the health of the Filipino people. We must work together to address the challenges we face – the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural areas, the burden of non-communicable diseases, the need for better infrastructure and technology.
This is a call to action for all of us. Let us work together, united in our commitment to our patients, our profession, and our nation. Let us embrace the opportunities presented by the Universal Healthcare Act and leverage our expertise to build a healthier Philippines.
Thank you for this incredible honor. I look forward to serving you and working alongside each and every one of you as we embark on this important journey together.
Mabuhay ang Philippine College of Physicians! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
