Medical checkups as crucial as treatment
AFTER pioneering online laboratory results in the Philippines, Hi-Precision Diagnostics is now offering another healthcare innovation—the country’s medical diagnostics mobile app that could now be accessed whenever and wherever.
Throughout most of human history, people have consulted doctors only when they were sick believing in the mindset that says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Somehow this has changed in recent years as more and more people realized that getting a regular checkup with a doctor, even if they were feeling perfectly well, makes sense. They are even willing to undergo several routine tests in order to know if, for example, there is something not normal about their blood or urine composition, heart’s electrical activity and the chest.
“Just like a car that needs an every-5,000-kilometer checkup, getting oneself checked regularly would enable that person to find and fix any problems and ensure that any disease process would be detected at an early stage where earlier treatment is most effective. It would keep their body running like a well-tuned engine and possibly live a longer, happier life,” explained Emma Ong, director of Hi-Precision Diagnostics, which owns the largest network of medical diagnostics facilities in the country.
She said that even with ISO 9001:2008 certification and its main office on Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City, accredited to PNS ISO 15189:2010—that ensures that systems and processes meet international standards—their services are still regarded as among the most affordable in the market.
Affordability
“When we started 18 years ago, we made it a point to offer the most accurate, most extensive line of services, the quickest, and even tests that are not readily available in the country and offer them at a price that even those with little budget could afford. It took some time for doctors, medical centers and even government agencies to trust us. But eventually, we soon became accredited with the Department of Labor and Employment, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Maritime Industry Authority, the Dangerous Drugs Board, the Department of Education, and the Philippine National Police’s Security and Investigation Agencies and Firearms and Explosives Division to do their drug testing requirements.”
Melissa Ong Sue-Lee, VP for Sales and Marketing of Hi-Precision Diagnostics, said “Through our recognized, accurate and most affordable services, we have proven that preventive health services can save lives. Indeed, one of the keys to long-term good health is taking the appropriate preventive measures. Timely preventive screenings like digital mammograms can lower healthcare costs and improve quality of life by identifying serious illnesses in earlier stages.”
The company’s 20 branches located around Luzon and in the province of Cebu, offer complete laboratory, imaging and dental services which include the following: bacteriology, blood chemistry, clinical microscopy, drug testing, hematology, immunology/serology, PCR (or polymerase chain reaction tests used to diagnose HIV, viruses and certain fungi), histopathology, spirometry, audiometry, ICG (Impedance Cardiography), mammogram, 2D-Echo, ECG, medical and dental X-ray, treadmill (Del Monte, Taft, TM Kalaw, Rockwell, Angeles and Cebu branches only), ultrasound, highly specialized test and paternity test.
Taking charge
Ong noted that with the accessibility that the company has provided, more and more younger patients—25- to 35-years old and not doing it for work requirement—are taking charge of their health. “It’s not just the elderly but recently younger patients now find time to schedule an appointment with a doctor to discuss what screenings and exams they need and when they need them.”
Ong Sue-Lee said that since availing exams in many hospitals usually takes time (because of the volume of patients taking the same service or they use less capable test equipment), the best place to go to are specialized firms like like Hi-Precision Diagnostics. “By getting the right screenings and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life. Your age, health and family history, lifestyle choices—like what you eat or how active you are—and other important factors impact what and how often you need such health services.”
