Ayala's AC Health stands out as the only Philippine group recognized across hospital and pharma at Healthcare Asia Awards

SINGAPORE — Ayala’s healthcare arm, AC Health, stands out at the Healthcare Asia Awards as the only Philippine group recognized across both hospital and pharmaceutical categories, with multiple wins across Healthway Medical Network, Generika Drugstore, MedEthix, and IE Medica—extending its track record as a consistent awardee in recent years.

The recognitions highlight the group’s commitment to improving health for every Filipino, spanning innovation in patient-centered hospital care, public–private partnerships, pharmaceutical access, community engagement, and supply chain excellence.

Advancing patient-centered care, public-private collaboration

Healthway Medical Network led this year’s wins, receiving Patient Care Initiative of the Year (Philippines) for its facility-wide, end-to-end patient navigation program—the first of its kind in the country—designed to guide patients and families through every step of cancer care.

Launched at the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital in May 2025, the program addresses a major pain point in a cancer patient’s journey. It eliminates the burden of coordinating care themselves, reduces the stress of moving from one facility to another, and demonstrates Healthway’s mission of excellence in providing care beyond cure.

Healthway was also recognized for its successful private-public partnership on expanding access to dialysis and cancer care with Valenzuela City, which upgraded the Valenzuela Emergency Hospital and built a state-of-the-art Ambulatory Care Center.

This innovative public–private partnership combined Valenzuela City’s strategic infrastructure program with Healthway’s high standards of care, clinical expertise, and management effectiveness, thereby increasing the city’s capacity to cater to lifesaving dialysis sessions and much-needed cancer care while also making sure that high-quality care is within reach geographically and economically. 

"These recognitions affirm what sets Healthway Medical Network apart," said Jef Peeters, president & CEO of Healthway Medical Network. "Our patient navigation system makes the hospital journey simpler, faster, and more seamless for patients, demonstrating the power of care beyond cure; while our partnership with the Valenzuela City Government shows how we can expand access by working closely with the public sector. Both reflect our core focus: improving patient experience and strengthening healthcare delivery where it matters most."

Strengthening access through a purpose-driven pharma ecosystem

Generika Drugstore was recognized for Community Initiative of the Year through its "Ginhawang Barangayan" program, which integrates free medical services, generics education, and sustained grassroots engagement. This program has helped shift patient behavior, encouraging greater acceptance of quality generic medicines while expanding access to essential treatment.

MedEthix, meanwhile, received ESG Program of the Year for its "Aruga" Medical Mission, which brings targeted healthcare services—including OB-GYNE and pediatric care—to underserved communities. Beyond service delivery, the initiative reflects a deeper commitment to inclusive healthcare, aligning commercial capabilities with meaningful social impact.

IE Medica further reinforced the strength of AC Health’s pharma platform, securing Supply Chain Initiative of the Year and Employee Engagement of the Year. Its achievement of the Philippines’ first Authorized Economic Operator Certificate Level 1 for a pharmaceutical company significantly improves the speed and reliability of medicine importation, reducing processing time from five days to one and ensuring more consistent access to critical treatments nationwide.

"Across our pharmaceutical businesses, we are addressing real and persistent gaps in healthcare—from access and affordability to supply chain reliability," said Atty. Yet Abarca, president & CEO of AC Health Pharma Ventures. "These recognitions affirm that our work goes beyond operations; it is about building trust, improving health-seeking behavior, and delivering positive impact in the communities we serve."

Consistent leadership in healthcare excellence

These latest recognitions build on AC Health’s multi-year track record of wins at the Healthcare Asia Awards, reflecting a culture of excellence and malasakit (empathy) embedded across its businesses.

With its significant wins this year, AC Health continues to deliver measurable impact in patient care, public–private collaboration, pharmaceutical access, and operational performance.

"Across AC Health, these awards reflect a shared commitment to continuously improve how we serve patients and communities," said Paolo Borromeo, President & CEO of AC Health. "They underscore our focus on building more connected, patient-centered systems of care that expand access, improve outcomes, and create positive impact at scale. Ultimately, this is how we move closer to our vision of transforming health for every Filipino." 

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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by AC Health.