Amid soaring healthcare costs, high mortality from noncommunicable diseases, and the growing burden on the public healthcare system, the Philippines’ need for preventive medicine has become increasingly urgent.
According to a joint study by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Department of Health (DOH), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, investing in disease prevention and control can save lives while reducing the long-term economic burden of chronic illness.
The study found that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases—account for 68 percent of all deaths in the Philippines. These diseases cost the national economy an estimated ₱756.5 billion annually, equivalent to 4.8% of the country’s annual gross domestic product.
Responding to the need for a healthcare model that emphasizes preventing serious illness and promoting early intervention, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center (MMMC) has opened its new Lifestyle and Wellness Center, a facility dedicated to preventive medicine and personalized wellness.
The center reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing effective healthcare long before patients become seriously ill and empowering individuals to take charge of their health through prevention, early detection, and evidence-based lifestyle management.
“Modern healthcare recognizes that preventing disease is often more effective, and far less costly, than treating it after complications arise,” said Dr. Edna Cuasay, assistant medical director, chief of clinics, and chief of the Institute of Clinical Neurosciences at Mary Mediatrix Medical Center.
“Our Lifestyle and Wellness Center was established to help people identify health risks early, make informed lifestyle choices, and receive personalized care that supports lifelong wellness. By helping patients stay healthy, we hope to improve quality of life while reducing the burden of chronic disease on families and communities,” she added.
As healthcare continues to evolve, experts increasingly recognize that the future of medicine lies not only in treating illness after it develops, but also in preserving health before disease occurs. Through early detection, risk reduction, and lifestyle intervention, preventive medicine can help people live healthier, longer lives while reducing avoidable hospitalizations, improving quality of life, and easing the growing strain on healthcare systems.
Complementing the hospital’s comprehensive healthcare services, the Lifestyle and Wellness Center offers Executive check-ups, nutrition counseling, physical rehabilitation, and personalized wellness programs developed through multidisciplinary collaboration.
Rather than focusing solely on treating existing illness, the center emphasizes preserving health through comprehensive health assessments, risk-factor management, and individualized wellness planning. Patients are welcomed in a private, hotel-inspired environment featuring an exclusive reception and lounge, where a dedicated concierge team coordinates consultations, diagnostic procedures, and other healthcare services.
The seamless experience allows patients to focus on achieving their health goals while receiving compassionate, personalized care that reflects Mary Mediatrix Medical Center’s signature Alagang May Malasakit.
Dr. Cuasay said the center builds upon the same evidence-based philosophy that has guided Mary Mediatrix Medical Center’s clinical programs. The hospital recently received the World Stroke Organization’s Platinum Award, recognizing its excellence in timely intervention, coordinated clinical pathways, and adherence to internationally recognized standards of care.
“Whether we are treating patients with complex medical conditions or helping them prevent disease before it develops, our commitment remains the same: delivering compassionate, evidence-based care that helps people live healthier, fuller lives,” she said.
“For nearly seven decades, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center has continually evolved to meet the changing healthcare needs of the communities we serve,” said Dondi Delos Santos, president of Mary Mediatrix Medical Center.
“Healthcare today is no longer defined solely by treating illness. It is increasingly about preserving health, preventing disease, and empowering people to live longer, healthier lives. Through our new Lifestyle and Wellness Center, we are investing in that future while remaining true to our commitment to provide accessible, compassionate, and patient-centered care for every Filipino,” he added.
As healthcare continues its shift from reactive treatment toward proactive prevention, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center believes that the greatest advances in medicine will not only be measured by lives saved in hospitals, but also by illnesses prevented, healthier communities, and better quality of life for generations to come.
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