IN another move to help provide safer healthcare in the country, Philab Industries Inc., the premier scientific research enabler in the Philippines, has teamed up with Department of Health to distribute a thousand sterilization units for clinics and hospitals nationwide.
“Safety in medical procedures needs improvement especially in various rural areas with lacking or subpar medical equipment. Unfortunately, they make do with what they have. We need to be proactive in pushing for better clinical practices,” said Philab’s chief executive officer Tom Navasero.
An autoclave is a standard requirement for every medical facility, and sterilization is an important part of ensuring the best medical care is provided, he explained.
This partnership aims to promote safer medical procedures through sterilization of equipment and improve overall health services in the country through the sterilization units or autoclaves, which are manufactured by Philab, and is called the iClave.
The project has been rolled out early this year, and the iClave units are set to be distributed across the country by the end of 2015.
Philab has been producing their iClave since 2012, but has been distributing other lines of autoclaves for over 40 years.
“We decided to manufacture an autoclave specially designed for this project. In the planning process, we prioritized sturdiness and simplicity. We made sure that the iClave is very efficient while being user-friendly,” explained Navasero.
Moreover, Philab’s competitive costs make it easier for faster and more widespread distribution. “We designed the iClave within the Philippines as we have considerable knowledge about the equipment, then we outsource the parts and manufacturing in China to ensure production quality as well as minimize costs,” said Navasero.
Operating with its motto Creating Change, Philab’s participation in this project is in line with its initiatives to promote healthcare and wellness in the Philippines. “For us, it’s more than simply keeping the business alive, we see the purpose and the bigger picture in everything we do,” Navasero said.
Philab Industries Inc. was established in 1960 by Hector Navasero. It has pioneered the development of research and scientific laboratories in Asia with UP Los Baños and the International Rice Research Institute as first clients.
In October 2013, Hector Thomas Navasero took over the company from his father and the Philab founder as chairman.