MANILA, Philippines – The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) recently assessed two Philippine health providers for international accreditation. NABH International assessors were in the Philippines recently to conduct pre-assessment of Belo Medical Group and The Zen Institute, to conform their facilities and operations to international quality standards.

NABH International introduces its standards to the Philippines based on principles set by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), the worldwide agency that sets the international standards for quality medical and healthcare practices of healthcare providers around the world. Through the NABH International mark of excellence, patients are assured that these hospitals are guaranteed to provide global quality healthcare.

HealthCORE is the official representative of NABH International in the Philippines. It is a private corporation involved in global healthcare management and medical travel education, research, marketing and consultancy. Through HealthCORE and NABH International, healthcare providers in the Philippines will have access to guidelines and resources that will help them meet international benchmarks.

“Accreditation is all about patient safety and quality care”

Dr. B.K. Rana, Joint Director of NABH and Vice Chairman for Accreditation of ISQua, recently went to the Belo Medical Group at its headquarters in Makati and The Zen Institute in Global City to conduct pre-assessment as part of the clinic’s application for accreditation.

When The Zen Institute and Belo Medical Group attain NABH accreditation, their operations will be certified as conforming to international medical and healthcare standards set by NABH International. Accreditation by NABH will confer an international seal of quality to these two Philippine healthcare providers.

“International healthcare benchmarks are what every hospital, clinic and wellness center must adhere to. This is because conforming to these standards will assure their patients of the best quality of medical care and health services. In short, all healthcare providers must aim to give the best care possible to assure the best clinical outcomes for their patients,” said Dr. B.K. Rana, Joint Director of NABH.

According to Rana, accreditation is not a marketing tool. Accreditation, he said, is a way to help healthcare providers meet international benchmarks for quality medical and healthcare services.

“Every hospital, clinic or wellness center, whether they are accredited or not, should be striving to give the best healthcare. Accreditation gives a process, a schedule and a structure that will help a healthcare provider meet international standards more easily, more accurately and with the right guidance,” Rana explained.

NABH: Mark of international quality healthcare

Belo Medical Group is a network of aesthetic clinics that offers a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatments for skin care, anti-aging, body-shaping, weight management and dental services. After 20 years in operation, Belo Medical Group remains one of the top aesthetic clinics in the Philippines today. It has clinics all over Metro Manila and one clinic in California.

“Belo Medical Group has been caring for international and local patients for years, as word-of-mouth about its high-level of care, patient safety and patient satisfaction is spreading through Filipino communities overseas and their non-Filipino friends.

“However, we are still seeking to further improve our benchmarks and are aiming to conform our practices and facilities to the best standards in the world. This is why we are processing our international accreditation through NABH International,” said Dr. Filipino Buñag, Assistant Medical Director of BMG.

Belo Medical Group is seeking NABH’s international mark of quality healthcare under the category of Small Healthcare Organization while Zen Institute, on the other hand, is seeking accreditation as a wellness center. It is the very first wellness center in the Philippines to do so.

The Zen Institute is a medical spa that offers aesthetic and wellness services to its patients, focusing on non-invasive procedures for skin care, anti-aging, body-sculpting and weight management. Patients also receive personal wellness coaching to help them adopt wellness as a preferred lifestyle.

THE BELO MEDICAL GROUP undergoes pre-assessment for NABH international accreditation. NABH Assessors Dr. B.K. Rana, Joint Director of NABH and Dr. Leena Phadnis (seated 1^st and 3^rd from left) toured the facility and conducted interviews with the quality team of Belo Medical Group led by Dr. Filipino Buñag (seated center), Dr. March Cortez and Ms. Dinna de Guzman (standing 3^rd and 4^th from left respectively).
NABH International accreditation for both The Zen Institute and Belo Medical Group is being processed through HealthCORE, the official Philippine representative of NABH. For more inquiries about international accreditation, go to www.healthcore.com.ph. (advt)

THE ZEN INSTITUTE in Fort Bonifacio Global City undergoes pre-assessment for NABH international accreditation. NABH Assessors Dr. B.K. Rana, Joint Director of NABH and Dr. Leena Phadnis (3^rd and 1^st from left) toured the facility and conducted interviews with The Zen Institute owner Dr. Mary Jane “MJ” Torres-Valdecañas and her staff. Also in photo is HealthCORE executive director Joyce Alumno, Philippine representative of NABH International.