By Veronica Uy
Sweden and the Philippines have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) launching a strategic partnership to enhance cancer care in the Philippines, the Embassy of Sweden said in a news release.
Following the quadruple-helix model of collaboration among government, academia, industry, and civil society in both countries, the LoI was signed in mid-October 2024 by the provincial government of Bataan, Bataan General Hospital, Business Sweden-The Swedish Trade & Invest Council, Cancer Coalition Philippines, AstraZeneca, Elekta, and Ericsson.
“This collaboration with Sweden is a breakthrough moment. Sweden, as a global leader in cancer management, brings with it high level of experiences and expertise, and we eagerly anticipate the launch of the first joint initiative,” said Ms. Carmen Auste, vice president of Cancer Coalition Philippines.
Mr. Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Sweden, said Sweden’s advanced cancer care is focused on early detection and prevention, supported by national screening programs and strong public health policies.
Sweden’s approach to cancer treatment is multidisciplinary and ensures holistic support for patients throughout their cancer journey, with strong emphasis on cancer research, clinical trials, and innovative treatment methods, Jevrell said.
“Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, yet our screening rates are among the lowest regionally. Most patients are seen at an advanced stage,” Auste said, noting low awareness of value of early detection, limited access to diagnostic and treatment facilities, and high out-of-pocket expenses and delays throughout the patient journey.
Bataan will be the launching pad of the partnership, aiming first to transform cancer care in the province and then to set a benchmark for nationwide adoption.
“Bataan is spearheading the national government’s universal health coverage rollout, which synergizes well with our cancer care partnership with Sweden,” said Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III.
“We’re thrilled to be the pilot province for this collaboration and look forward to leveraging Sweden’s expertise in cancer management to enhance patient outcomes, alleviate pressure on the healthcare system, and deliver health and socio-economic benefits to Bataan,” the governor added.
As the leading healthcare institution in the province, the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center will spearhead provincial efforts across the cancer care continuum—from early detection and diagnosis, health promotion, cancer prevention, cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, as well as palliative care and pain management.
“We aim to initiate this partnership by establishing a comprehensive and a robust Cancer Registry. We also look forward to collaborating with cancer specialists from Sweden, renowned for their expertise in cancer care and their ability to provide the highest quality of life for cancer patients,” said Dr. Glory V. Baltazar, Medical Center Chief II.
As part of its comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, the partnership covers services aligned with the National Integrated Cancer Control Act and integrates various aspects of cancer treatment including survivorship programs.
Sweden said the three industry partners—the biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, precision-radiation therapy company Elekta, and telecommunications and technology giant Ericsson—have a strong footprint in the Philippines.
Ms. Lotis Ramin, AstraZeneca’s Philippines Country President, said: “Our ambition [is] to provide cancer cure through our life-changing medicines…We invite more collaborators to share our bold ambition of leading the revolution in oncology through our life-changing medicines, together with holistic cancer ecosystem solutions.”
Mr. Samuel Lee, Elekta’s Managing Director SEA, said: “We envision a world where everyone has access to the best cancer care. Through this partnership, we aim to elevate the level of radiation therapy treatment techniques through…[the] upskill [of] clinicians working in the field of radiotherapy.”
Daniel Ode, head of Ericsson Singapore, Philippines, and Brunei, said: “5G connectivity has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare and enhance patient outcomes, such as telesurgery and remote diagnostics. We have seen this in our partnerships with leading health institutions worldwide. We are looking forward to working…to enable remote healthcare to the Philippines.”
Mr. Jevrell said this health partnership is part of Sweden’s strategy for trade, investment, and global competitiveness, and specifically of its new and long-term promotion initiative in Asia. “Sweden is strengthening its engagement in the Philippines with a capacity-building agenda across several industries,” he said.
Mr. Jevrell and Dr. Jan Aura Llevado, chief of the Department of Health’s Cancer Control and Mental Health Divisions, were also present at the LoI signing.
This newly launched cancer care partnership is a top priority, given its potential for significant impact in the Philippines, according to the Embassy of Sweden.
