"New PhilHealth Chief US-Trained Doctor Steps In to Shape the Future of Healthcare in the Philippines

Title New PhilHealth Chief US-Trained Doctor Steps In to Shape the Future of Healthcare in the Philippines

As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appoints Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new president and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), the nation's healthcare landscape is poised for a transformative shift. With a background in orthopedic surgery from the United States and extensive experience in leading healthcare organizations, Dr. Mercado brings a wealth of expertise to lead PhilHealth in its pursuit of providing efficient, reliable, and accessible universal healthcare to all Filipinos.

Before his appointment as PhilHealth chief, Dr. Mercado served as vice chairman of the Mercado General Hospital and QualiMed Health Network since 2021. His impressive track record includes expanding MGHI into a national chain of healthcare facilities, comprising four general hospitals, six multi-specialty clinics, two surgery centers, 150 primary care corporate clinics, a college for paramedical professionals, and a physician practice group of 400 doctors.

Dr. Mercado's academic credentials are equally impressive. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines in 1987 and later completed his Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School in 2023. Additionally, he holds an Executive Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina, USA.

As the new chief of PhilHealth, Dr. Mercado has expressed his commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality medical care and leveraging technology to strengthen health systems, particularly in financial management and primary care programs. His expertise in global supply chain, research methods, and implementation science will be invaluable in shaping the future of healthcare in the Philippines.

Dr. Mercado has also been actively involved in advocacy work with the Zuellig Family Foundation and several Department of Health Centers for Health Development, providing technical assistance to provincial health boards on operationalizing their healthcare provider network. He is also a lecturer at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health on global supply chain, research methods, and implementation science.

Currently, Dr. Mercado is studying the cost of per-member payment for global coverage of inpatient services. He is also involved in an ongoing study on using artificial intelligence as an assistive tool for community health workers to deliver primary care.

The appointment of Dr. Mercado has garnered support from health experts. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa welcomed his appointment, citing his academic qualifications and alignment with the Universal Health Care Act. Senator Grace Poe expressed hope that the new PhilHealth management would breathe new life into the state health insurer, which needs healing itself. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada hopes that Dr. Mercado will be able to fix all the problems of PhilHealth.

In conclusion, Dr. Edwin Mercado's appointment as the new CEO of PhilHealth marks a significant milestone in the nation's healthcare journey. With his impressive track record, expertise, and commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality medical care, Dr. Mercado is poised to shape the future of healthcare in the Philippines. As he takes on this new role, we can expect to see innovative solutions to the challenges facing PhilHealth, including improving financial management, primary care programs, and leveraging technology to strengthen health systems.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.