haws' Aimelynn "Wendy" Cabrera guides a student in using the UPMinCares app.

UP Mindanao officially launched UPMinCares, a primary health care benefit program, on August 28, 2024, at the UP Mindanao Atrium. UPMinCares offers affordable and accessible healthcare services for the UPMin community, which are accessed through an online application platform developed by Health and Wellness Solutions Technology Inc. (haws). 

One of UP Mindanao's flagship programs is health and welfare for its constituents. UP Mindanao has a total student population of 1,473 and 315 teaching and non-teaching personnel. Despite serving such a large community, the university currently has only two nurses and no university doctor.

Ways to address this include advocating for a higher number of health practitioners to be designated in the university, offering a medicine program, and offering affordable, preventive primary health care. 

UPMinCares simplifies healthcare access by allowing patients to book appointments for clinic visits, teleconsultations, and diagnostic services. After consultations, patients can receive ePrescriptions, Lab eRequests, and Medical documents. These services are available through a mobile application and Digital Kiosks located in the UP Mindanao Elias B. Lopez Hall Dormitory. UPMin constituents can sign up through a form distributed by the Office of Student Affairs to avail of these services. 

The UPMinCares program was developed in collaboration with alumni in the healthcare sector. Alumna Aimelynn "Wendy" Cabrera (BASS 2002), haws' director of Healthcare Provider Engagements, brought physicians and fellow alumni Nezer Soriano, Khalil Guinomla, and Gladies Rioferio onboard UPMinCares.       

The need for more healthcare providers, such as haws, is important, particularly in light of the multiple and overlapping health and social needs presented by today's many low-income or disadvantaged students and personnel who lack access to adequate health resources. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a ratio of one physician per 1,000 individuals (1:1000). In the Philippines, there is an evident lack of physicians and healthcare professionals, as the average doctor-to-population ratio is only 3.7:10,000. As of January 2024, the Davao Region's doctor-to-population ratio for each health district stands at 1:50,000, while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM) has one doctor per 38,290 persons. 

Healthcare is expensive, and not everyone has access to it. In Davao City, a doctor's consultation fee ranges from Php 600 to Php 1,800, while fees for psychological services range from Php 3,500 to Php 8,000. 

UPMinCares aligns with UPMin's Welfare and Student Support Programs, the UP System's Partnerships and Digital Transformation programs, and the sustainable development goals of Good Health and Well-being and Quality Education.  

During the launch, various speakers from different sectors of the university expressed their support for the program, highlighting its timeliness, essentiality, and tangible effort to transform the university's healthcare services. 

"Our pursuit of excellence should never be at the expense of health," said Lynda Buenaobra, Chief of the Human Resource and Development Office, in her message read by Prof. Salazar. "Good health is the foundation for effective learning and working, and I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of this service, which is tailored to meet our community's needs."

"UPMin Cares is a testament to ensuring that everyone in the university has access to health resources. This is a concrete step to ensure that students, staff, and faculty are well-supported," said University Student Council (USC) Chair Heroine Marish Fernandez.

#UPMindanao #UPMin #SDG3 #Good Health #HealthAndWellness #SDG17 #PartnershipForTheGoals

Student Affairs Director Assoc. Prof. Stella Salazar introduces the UPMinCares telemedicine system

University Student Council chairperson Heroine Marish Fernandez speaks on behalf of the students

Vice-Chancellor for Administration Leo Manuel Estana speaks about the UPMinCares telemedicine program

Students pose with the haws team, at right, composed of haws' Wendy Cabrera, DHK's Cherry Camia, haws Director Warren Cane, and alumnus Dr. Khalil Guinomla