TMC Iloilo Named Healthcare Asia's Secondary Hospital of the Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Medical City Iloilo's dedication to healthcare excellence and innovation has earned it the distinction as Healthcare Asia's Secondary Hospital of the Year — a first outside of Luzon.                   

The prestigious award was conferred during the Healthcare Asia Awards 2025 at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre here on April 10, 2025.

Dr. Felix Ray Villa, TMC Iloilo Chief Executive Officer, said this first international feat for TMC Iloilo is a testament to its commitment to upholding world-class healthcare standards and expertise, driven by its vision of becoming Iloilo’s trusted partner in healthcare. “We started from humble roots; now we are here to celebrate TMCI's journey marked by a relentless drive to innovate in patient-partner care, always with the goal of creating a positive impact in our community," said Dr. Villa, who personally received the award.                                                                           

Aiming to recognize leadership and impact, the Healthcare Asia Awards proudly spotlight Asian healthcare organizations that consistently go beyond conventional standards to provide top-tier patient care.

Meanwhile, The Medical City Ortigas was hailed as the Hospital of the Year — a 4-peat winner — while The Medical City Clinic earned the title of Primary Care Provider of the Year for the third straight year — a 3-peat achievement.                   

‘Trailblazer’

Innovation is rapidly shaping healthcare, ushering in a new era for patient treatment and care delivery with the promise of improved outcomes, reduced costs, and patient-centric service.                   

TMC Iloilo finds a parallel to this shift. It has consistently positioned itself as a “trailblazer in healthcare” in Western Visayas, enabling a proactive, needs- responsive, patient-centered and resilient approach to addressing the evolving healthcare needs of the Ilonggo community, as well as those of neighboring provinces.

TMC Iloilo, as the sole Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital Tier 2 accredited facility in Iloilo, guarantees patient partners its expertise in managing life-threatening conditions. It employs specialized, high-quality care, ensuring timely intervention, accurate diagnosis, and improved financial support, thereby improving survival rates.                   

Reinforcing its position as the Heart Care Capital of Western Visayas, TMCI has expanded its cardiac care services through the Cardiac Care Rehabilitation Program designed to accelerate recovery and support patients in returning to their normal routines following cardiac procedures.

Beyond hospital walls, TMC Iloilo actively engages and empowers the community through initiatives like the Internal Medicine Service Health Fairs, which reached over 500 individuals across Iloilo Province in 2024.                   

Further, TMCI’s recognition for the Best in Management of Infection Prevention Among Healthcare Workers-Level 2, and Over-all Winner for Level 2 Hospitals Category for two consecutive years affirms its focus on patient safety and the well-being of its healthcare professionals towards a safer and inclusive environment for care delivery.

TMCI’s impact also extends regionally through its proactive Provincial Roadshow Series, forging strong partnerships and collaborations with neighboring provinces such as Antique, Negros Occidental, and Capiz. Through shared expertise and resources, these initiatives fortified the healthcare ecosystem across Western Visayas.

In line with its innovative programs and capabilities, TMC Iloilo introduced the first-of-its-kind Red Coat Ambassadors Program in Western Visayas, specifically designed to enhance patient experience for the Ilonggos. It is also the only hospital in Iloilo equipped to perform advanced neuro-related procedures like Thrombolysis and Mechanical Thrombectomy, ensuring access to cutting-edge stroke care and management.

TMC Iloilo also maintains good rapport with its external stakeholders, especially the local government of Iloilo City.

“In collaboration with the city, we were able to efficiently allocate resources, develop targeted health programs, and provide a unified response to pressing public health challenges, like the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Debbie Noblezada-Uy, Chief Medical Officer.

This partnership, added Dr. Villa, fostered trust, empowered communities, and showed the power of public-private partnership.

"With this, TMCI is not just addressing healthcare needs; it is building a healthier, stronger, and more inclusive future for Iloilo City and beyond,” he emphasized.

Moreover, TMCI established over 50 new partnerships for 2024 for its programs. These partners include corporations, non-government associations, government agencies, civic organizations, and gated communities. All these partnerships created a framework for long-term success and positioned The Medical City Iloilo as a health partner of choice in Western Visayas.

Patients are partners

At TMC Iloilo, "Patients are Partners" is not merely a tagline, but a deeply ingrained principle. The prestigious Healthcare Asia award honors the collective efforts and shared responsibility between TMCI and its empowered patient partners.

Anchored by its vision of shaping a healthier Filipino society and its mission to place the patient at the core of service delivery, TMC Iloilo is committed to fostering a collaborative journey towards health and wellness for the community. 

In 2024, TMC Iloilo launched new programs that greatly benefited the Ilonggo community. These include the Occupational Therapy, Sports Program, Occupational Medicine Program, Healthcare on Wheels Mobile Clinic, and the Re-Assure Emergency Subscription Plans.

Moreover, first in Iloilo, TMCI launched the Korean Care and Assistance Hub in partnership with the Iloilo Korean United Community Association, Inc. to foster fellowship and inclusion making TMCI as the hospital of choice of the Korean Community in the City of Love.

Being the first hospital in the Visayas to partner with GrabMart, TMC Iloilo remains committed to innovate and improve patient experience by making its products more conveniently accessible to the Ilonggos.

“At the heart of everything we do is a simple goal — to find better ways to care. Through innovation and compassion, we continue to explore new programs and technologies that uplift lives and transform healthcare in Western Visayas, one meaningful step at a time,” said Mr. Prince Juliene Hermaine Celo, Head of Marketing, Sales, and Business Development.

These undertakings of TMCI ensure that individuals are not just passive recipients of care, but active participants in their health journey, fostering a stronger, healthier, and more engaged community.

Service excellence

TMCI recognizes human capital as a key differentiator—thus investing not only in robust infrastructure and processes but, more importantly, in its dedicated personnel. The prestigious award is a direct reflection of the collective effort of the entire TMC Iloilo team.

Throughout the years, from the pivotal transition during the acquisition of Savior Int’l Hospital in 2010, TMCI’s leadership has consistently prioritized the well-being and professional growth of its personnel.

Looking to the future, TMCI is strategically investing in the development of the next generation of medical professionals and staff through its comprehensive training programs.

Keeping the momentum

TMC Iloilo is not resting on its laurels but proactively mapping ways forward. Building on a proven track record of innovation, TMC Iloilo is poised to shape the future of healthcare through focused initiatives and expanded capabilities in the pipeline to include enhanced patient partnership, leadership in healthcare innovation, and greater accessibility and inclusivity, among other key priorities.

This commitment to excellence, fueled by a spirit of collaboration and a continued quest to expand medical frontiers, underscores The Medical City Iloilo’s vision to be the region’s trusted healthcare leader, shaping a healthier future for all.

ABOUT THE MEDICAL CITY ILOILO

TMC Iloilo is one of the five local hospitals of The Medical City brand. Its other hospitals are located in Ortigas, Clark, South Luzon, and Pangasinan.

Entered Iloilo in 2009, it is the first hospital in Iloilo City to introduce the “Patient Partnership” service philosophy, a value of care that focuses on making every patient a partner in their journey towards wellness.

The Medical City is the largest healthcare network that manages Guam Regional Medical City, the first Filipino-owned hospital in the United States.

To learn more about our locations and service, visit www.themedicalcityiloilo.com.