The first 4 year BS degree course in Medical Technology was offered by the Philippine Union College (now known as Adventist University of the Philippines) in 1954 through its sister establishment, the Manila Sanitarium. After 2 years, the said school graduated its very first graduate, Dr. Jesse Umali who became an obstetrician-gynecologist and owner of Omega Laboratory located in Vito Cruz, Manila.
During the school years 1957-1958, Dr. Antonio Gabriel and Dr. Gustavo U. Reyes of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Santo Tomas offered medical technology as an elective to 4th and 5th year B.S. Pharmacy students. Due to the popularity of the said profession among Pharmacy students, the regent back then, Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Rodriguez decided to offer it as a course. It was in June 17, 1957, a temporary permit was issued by the Department of Education for 1st to 3rd year students, then, in June 1960, the permit for the internship program was issued. The full recognition of the 4 year BS Medical Technology course was given on June 14, 1961.
In Centro Escolar University, Mrs. Purificacion Sunico-Suaco undertook possibility study for the offering of Medical Technology course. The proposal was granted permission by the University president back then, Carmen de Luna. In 1962, it produced its 1st batch of graduates.
The Far Easter University followed in establishing a school for Medical Technology. It was initiated by the late Dr. Horacio A. Ylagan and Dr. Serafin J. Juliano. In 1961, the idea was brought to the Advisory Council of the University, hence, by the authority granted by the late Dr. Lauro H. Panganiban, dean of the Institute of Medicine and Dr. Jesus Nolasco, Secretary of the Institute, the FEU School of Medical Technology was finally opened in 1962 under the joint auspices of the Institute of Medicine (now known as Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation) and Institute of Arts and Sciences. The recognition and approval of education authorities was handled personally by Dr. Ylagan, the Technical Director of the newly formed school. Together with his colleagues, he worked for the introduction of a 4-year course leading to the degree of subjects suited for the curriculum and the preparation of classes were conveniently arranged. It produced its first graduates in 1963.
After which, many schools and universities followed to offer the BS Medical Technology course.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
History of Medical Technology in the Philippines
During World War II, Philippines was seriously affected. Pearl Harbor was invaded by Japan on December 7,1941. Three days later, Japan conquered the entire Philippines, causing the wrath of the United States to flare up. Illnesses and death was very evident.
In 1944, US bases were built in Leyte. This allows United States to bring in members of their healthcare team to the Philippines to serve their wounded soldiers.
On January 9, 1945, 850 US ships of the 6th US Army began a round-about to Lingayen Gulf attempting to mislead the Japanese. Manila was taken and Corregidor was liberated, finally, real medical facilities were made available to the Philippines which include the 26th Medical Laboratory of the 6th US Army. The said laboratory was located at 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila, but now known as the Public Health Laboratory; a division of the Manila Health Department. As early as February of that year, training of civilians to become members of the healthcare team was already being done.
The 6th US army left the laboratory on June 1945. The laboratory was endorsed to the National Department of Health, but the department didn’t seem to be interested in pursuing the objectives of the laboratory.
The 2nd World War ended on September 1945 and barely, a month later, the laboratory was formerly reorganized by Dr. Pio de Roda and assisted by Dr. Mariano Icasiano who was then the Manila City Health Officer. The laboratory was later named Manila Public Health Laboratory.
A training program for individuals aspiring to become laboratory workers was offered in 1947 by Dr. Pio de Roda in collaboration with Dra. Prudencia Sta. Ana. Trainees were mostly high school graduates and paramedical graduates. The training proved to be ineffective because the trainees were never motivated and there was no program that was supposed to last for a set period of time and no certificates were issued to the trainees.
Realizing this, Dr. Pio de Roda instructed Dra. Sta. Ana to prepare a formal syllabus of the training program. In 1954, the training began using a syllabus and it was to last 6 months.
The training program offered by Dr. Pio de Roda did not last long because during that same year, the formal education of Medical Technology in the Philippines began.
In 1944, US bases were built in Leyte. This allows United States to bring in members of their healthcare team to the Philippines to serve their wounded soldiers.
On January 9, 1945, 850 US ships of the 6th US Army began a round-about to Lingayen Gulf attempting to mislead the Japanese. Manila was taken and Corregidor was liberated, finally, real medical facilities were made available to the Philippines which include the 26th Medical Laboratory of the 6th US Army. The said laboratory was located at 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila, but now known as the Public Health Laboratory; a division of the Manila Health Department. As early as February of that year, training of civilians to become members of the healthcare team was already being done.
The 6th US army left the laboratory on June 1945. The laboratory was endorsed to the National Department of Health, but the department didn’t seem to be interested in pursuing the objectives of the laboratory.
The 2nd World War ended on September 1945 and barely, a month later, the laboratory was formerly reorganized by Dr. Pio de Roda and assisted by Dr. Mariano Icasiano who was then the Manila City Health Officer. The laboratory was later named Manila Public Health Laboratory.
A training program for individuals aspiring to become laboratory workers was offered in 1947 by Dr. Pio de Roda in collaboration with Dra. Prudencia Sta. Ana. Trainees were mostly high school graduates and paramedical graduates. The training proved to be ineffective because the trainees were never motivated and there was no program that was supposed to last for a set period of time and no certificates were issued to the trainees.
Realizing this, Dr. Pio de Roda instructed Dra. Sta. Ana to prepare a formal syllabus of the training program. In 1954, the training began using a syllabus and it was to last 6 months.
The training program offered by Dr. Pio de Roda did not last long because during that same year, the formal education of Medical Technology in the Philippines began.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)