14-Aug-16 The Philippines Department of Health has stressed the need to integrate eye care into public health at the local government level, disclosing that nearly 300,000 Filipinos are blind in both eyes. The estimated number of persons who have bilateral blindness is 295,152, 59% of which is due to cataract and 14% due to uncorrected refractive errors. [image: Resources for the Blind]

12-Jul-16 In the Philippines, the healthcare system is challenged by resource constraints, affordability and dated health IT systems. The Department of Health reports there are 10 hospital beds per 10,000 population - half the WHO recommended number. To address these challenges, the government has set goals complementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 in achieving good health and well-being. [image: Manila Bulletin]

29-Jun-16 The Philippines is still one of the unhealthiest countries in Asia, lagging behind India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. 44% of adults are overweight due mainly to insufficient exercise and poor food habits, but only 25% would like to lose weight. [image: Gulf News]

31-May-16 Singapore-based Imagene Labs and New York-based LifeNome Inc have announced a partnership to bring genomic personalization to Southeast Asia. The partnership will leverage on the genetics testing facilities of Imagene Labs together with the proprietary bioinformatics platform of LifeNome, to provide consumers in the region with personalized guidance on nutrition, fitness, skincare and other wellness topics. [image: Pulse / LinkedIn]

13-May-16 With the Philhealth mandate to cover 100% of the population, demand for quality, affordable healthcare is on the rise. The largest private provider, Metro Pacific, counts eleven hospitals with 3,000 beds. A relatively new entrant is the Qualimed Health Network, owned by Mercado Hospital Group and Ayala Land. Qualimed has seven facilities with four more scheduled to open in 2016. [image: Inquirer]