Roche (Philippines) and Healthway Medical Network (HMN), fully owned by Ayala Corporation under Ayala Healthcare Holdings, have forged an alliance to enhance cancer care in the Philippines, reported BusinessMirror.

This partnership aims to advance cancer healthcare services for Filipino patients by combining Roche's innovative solutions and expertise with HMN's extensive healthcare network.

It includes Roche's patient support programme, RAP Plus, which offers financial assistance, pharmacy services support, and transport services, thereby reducing the financial burden on cancer patients.

RAP Plus will be available in HMN facilities across the country, eliminating the need for patients to travel outside their provinces for treatment.

Additionally, the collaboration will focus on enhancing healthcare professionals' capability in managing cancer patients, early cancer detection through screening and diagnostic programmes, disease awareness campaigns, and support for reimbursement or payment coverage for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

HMN President and CEO Jimmy Ysmael said: “As we seal our partnership with Roche to be our catalyst for transformative healthcare, we also reaffirm our commitment to providing access to Filipinos to healthcare and to life-saving medicines.

“With cancer being one of the top causes of morbidity in the country, we are highlighting it as one of the focal points of our Connectd Care Circles (CCCs), HMN’s innovative model of care, which latches on the network’s capability of delivering high-quality and connected healthcare services to patients through a multidisciplinary healthcare team, ensuring coordinated care throughout the patient journey.”

Roche is a global biotech company with a focus on various medical areas, including oncology, while HMN delivers healthcare services through multiple formats across the country.