The complex set of processes starting from setting appointments with medical professionals up to making payments for consultations, medical bills, and medicines, among others, may soon benefit from the streamlined information-technology-based solutions.

This, as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) positions Western Visayas to lead as the Healthcare Information Management System (HIMS) capital of the world in 2028.

DTI-6 OIC regional director Ermelinda P. Pollentes, in her opening message during the Regional HIMS Conference on September 7, said the significance of the HIMS sector within the Health and Life Sciences (HLS) cluster cannot be overstated.

“It aligns perfectly with the government’s priorities as outlined in the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan and the Western Visayas Regional Development Plan,” Pollentes added.

Western Visayas, according to Pollentes, with its abundance of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering medical and health-related courses, proudly stands as a wellspring of exceptional talent in the field of HIMS.

DTI also recognizes the country as one of the fastest-growing markets of the HIMS sector, which is also considered an integral part of the Information Technology – Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry in the country.

Advanced World Solutions and Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP) president Vincent M. Remo said that if Western Visayas is to become the HIMS capital of the world, the best bet would be on talent, on the people, and of course, balanced with infrastructure.

Initial data from the Iloilo Federation for Information Technology (IT) or IFIT showed that, as of August this year, there are 22 HIMS locators in Region 6 that offer healthcare services with an estimated 10,700 full-time employees. This is further supported by about 18 health-related courses offered by medical schools in the region.

West Visayas State University (WVSU) president Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz during the discussion with experts and stakeholders noted that the WVSU, as the region’s premier higher educational institution on medical programs, will also look into opening special programs and curriculum revisions to integrate HIMS.

“We have already hired several part-time faculty members coming from the industry to be closely working with our academic faculty. Because we believe that our curriculum should be designed based on the industry needs, a curriculum that will address the employability of our future graduates,” Villaruz said.

He also pointed out that to attain the goal of Region 6 to be the “HIMS capital of the world” by 2028, the academic managers of the country need to come up with discussions on micro-credential programs in the higher education system thereby creating a pool of human resources on HIMS.

HIMAP Corporate Secretary and Passelande InfoTech President and CEO John Dave Dueñas pointed out four vital factors – talent and expertise, technological infrastructure, cost efficiency, and government, in order to attain this goal.

“Let us continue to collaborate and make Western Visayas an innovative and digitally-enabled region – as HIMS capital of the world by 2028 and a seedbed of startups. Join us in this lofty vision,” Pollentes underscored that these are just some of the current innovations of the agency in shaping the future of the industry and the region.EAD/FRG/PIA6