The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is targeting to establish 30 Healthcare Information Management Services (HIMS) international businesses operating in Western Visayas by 2028 in a strategic move to establish the region as a global hub for HIMS operations.
This developed after the DTI Region VI organized a meeting with the members of the HIMS Technical Working Group last Sept. 25 to discuss how Western Visayas can rise to the occasion and make a mark as the HIMS capital of the world.
The group members include DTI VI personnel led by Regional Director Ermelinda Pollentes, Assistant Regional Director Rachel Nufable, key stakeholders, including representatives from the Iloilo Federation for IT (IFIT), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and distinguished HIMS providers.
By 2028, the region is expected to have at least 30 HIMS international businesses, which would significantly increase job prospects, especially for high-value services like software development and medical or clinical coding.
The information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry in the Philippines has seen impressive growth, with the HIMS sector emerging as one of the fastest-growing subsectors.
The region's unique selling proposition (USP) lies in its abundance of medical and health-related colleges, high-caliber graduates, qualified healthcare workers, and a pool of talented potential employees.
However, there is a critical need for training and development to expand the region's skill pool to satisfy the industry's expanding demand.
During the meeting, TESDA Regional Director Florencio F. Sunico Jr., gave a brief outline of the training initiatives designed to develop HIMS talent These programs play a crucial role in closing the skills gap within the HIMS sector.
MedStar Philippines CEO Judilyn F. Cañete, who is a prominent player in the HIMS industry, gave insightful information on the medical field both domestically and abroad.
She clarified MedStar's intentions to work with TESDA and its dedication to offering training courses that are precisely matched to the shifting requirements of the sector.
Cañete emphasized the distinction between medical billing and medical coding, stressing that the latter necessitates graduates with health-related qualifications who can adhere to international standards, particularly those prevalent in the United States.
As a long-term strategy for talent development, MedStar committed to creating programs that are based on training regulations for a particular area of health, aside from billing.
The TESDA's training methodology accreditation is a vital step in sustaining program quality, and Medstar has taken the initiative to enroll its trainers in it.
Similarly, a plan was made to create a regional Industry Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Board for IT, which would be crucial in coordinating TVET programs with the changing demands of the sector.
On the other hand, DTI VI will investigate the tax regulations governing training organizations offering TVET programs and will give MedStar input.
By December 2023, MedStar has set a target to secure TESDA's program registration, demonstrating its commitment to providing top-notch HIMS training.
This gathering demonstrates the collective will of Western Visayas to not only fulfill the expectations of the business but also to lead the way for the future of healthcare information management services as the HIMS industry continues to thrive in the Philippines.
Stakeholders in Region VI are making great progress toward achieving their goal of making the area the world's epicenter for HIMS thanks to this cooperative effort. (Ma. Joselie C. Garcia)