13 January 2017 – A pioneering Filipino Medical Program was recently launched at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey.

According to Holy Name Medical Center’s Vice President for Asian Health Services Kyung Hee Choi and Filipino Medical Program Officer Veronica Lavarro, the program caters to the most prevalent health conditions among Filipinos such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney and gall bladder illnesses, and hypertension, among others.

The program provides Filipino patients with facilities for health screenings, access to Filipino television programs such as The Filipino Channel, Philippine magazines and reading materials, and Philippine food in the hospital menu for in-patients such as porridge (lugaw, arroz caldo) and adobo. Filipino language materials are available for those who have difficulty reading and understanding English.

Ms. Lavarro said that if the program is successful, they are optimistic that it will be replicated in other medical and health institutions and help promote a healthier lifestyle among the Filipino-American Community.

Philippine Consul General to New York Theresa Dizon-de Vega met with officials of the Holy Name Medical Center to discuss the program and further collaborations on wellness, health, and lifestyle issues affecting Filipinos and Filipino-Americans.

Consul General de Vega reaffirmed the Consulate General’s support for the program and its assistance in raising awareness of its unique services for the Filipino Community.

She noted that there is a need for greater information dissemination as Filipinos, like the greater Asian-American Community, are generally hesitant to seek available health and human services when based overseas.

During the facility visit Consul General de Vega had the opportunity to converse with a Filipino-American patient who had availed of the program’s services.

The Consulate General and the Filipino Medical Program will undertake further collaborative work in reaching out to the Filipino-American community in addressing health concerns, particularly during Human Services Day held every March. END