The awards ceremony, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, cited MEM for two major honors: Most Differentiated Service of the Year and Hospital Partnership of the Year.
The MEM is a pioneering program developed by MedEthix in partnership with the Rizal Medical Center (RMC) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, specifically its Section of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Now in its third year, the initiative stands out among CME programs for its use of actual patient cases to train sonologists, providing real-time, hands-on diagnostic experience rather than relying solely on theoretical instruction.
“We’re truly honored to be recognized by Healthcare Asia,” said Monaliza Salian, president and CEO of MedEthix. “This recognition fuels our commitment to create programs that improve endometriosis treatment for both the medical community and patients.”
Endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting millions of women, often results in pelvic pain and infertility. Yet it remains underdiagnosed, with studies showing an average delay of 6.5 years before proper diagnosis—primarily due to the misbelief that chronic pelvic pain is just normal dysmenorrhea.
In the Philippines, many obstetrician-sonologists have limited experience managing complex gynecologic disorders like endometriosis. The MEM bridges this gap through a two-day training program, held twice a year, featuring 16 doctors and 16 real patients per session. Delegates are drawn from underserved regions, extending the program’s impact nationwide.
The training is led by Dr. Nelinda Catherine P. Pangilinan, a highly respected sonologist and current chair of the Ultrasound Committee of the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOFOG). She is joined by other esteemed faculty from PSUOG, underscoring the program’s credibility.
Founded in 2009 by Monaliza and Vasant Salian, MedEthix has long aimed to contribute to universal healthcare in the Philippines by improving access to affordable, high-quality treatment. Its partnership with Ayala Healthcare Holdings in 2019 further strengthened its capacity to drive impactful healthcare initiatives.
With over 600 members in the Philippine Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (PSUOG), MedEthix plans to scale the program further to benefit more patients. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
