SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) has become the first government hospital in the Philippines to acquire a helium-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, marking a breakthrough in accessible and sustainable healthcare.
Through strategic financial management, ITRMC procured the state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla MRI using hospital income generated from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reimbursements.
This milestone also makes ITRMC the first medical facility in Northern Luzon to adopt a helium-free scanner, setting a precedent for other hospitals to follow.
The cutting-edge technology, procured from Philips Philippines, is designed to support a wide range of medical specialties, including cardiology, oncology, and neurology, enhancing diagnostic precision and patient care.
Dr. Unity Cortez, head of the ITRMC Medical Services, emphasized that the P110 million worth MRI will enhance the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities, allowing for earlier detection and more precise medical interventions.
“MRI, being a superior diagnostic imaging modality, will support our vision in our tertiary specialized care to become a premier medical center, as it can help us in the early recognition of many diseases,” Cortez said.
Innovation in medical imaging
The newly acquired MRI is equipped with BlueSeal Technology, an advanced artificial intelligence-driven imaging system.
This cutting-edge technology offers:
- Comprehensive evaluation of all organ structures and systems;
- Early detection of life-threatening conditions, including cancer;
- Safe imaging for pregnant women; and
- Lower operational costs and reduced downtime.
According to Cortez, the machine produces non-ionizing radiation, making it safe even for pregnant women.
Cortez also noted that it is an eco-friendly scanner that operates with no helium, reducing both environmental impact and operational expenses.
“The service that we can now provide for health care is not leaving too many carbon footprints on the planet, cohesive with the ITRMC’s Integrated Environmental Management System and Occupational Hazard Management System,” she stated.
The newly installed MRI machine replaces the hospital’s outdated conventional unit, which sustained damage during the post-pandemic transition.
This imaging technology offers superior diagnostic capabilities, allowing for the early detection of bone lesions and precise differentiation between various tissue types, including fat, muscle, and water.
Unlike traditional MRI systems, which have limitations in assessing certain body areas, this advanced machine provides more comprehensive and accurate imaging, enabling early diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.
Cortez cited that the traditional MRI requires a large volume of helium to operate, making it more expensive than the helium-free machine.
She also added that it can contribute to the vision of ITRMC to become a premier prenatal center by diagnosing early congenital anomalies, which can be managed as early as during the pregnancy or after delivery.
The unveiling of the MRI machine was one of the highlights of ITRMC’s 80th founding anniversary kick-off celebration early this month.
Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) namely, Undersecretary Achilles Gerard Bravo, Undersecretary Glenn Matthew Baggao, DOH Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco, and DOH Cordillera Regional Director Ferdinand Benbenen witnessed the launching of said milestone.
ITRMC hopes that this innovation will inspire other government hospitals to adopt similar advancements, contributing to a stronger, more efficient, and sustainable healthcare system in the Philippines. (CCMT/AMB/CGCC, PIA Region 1)
