The Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) and the Cebu Doctors Hospital (CDH) were recently named the newest recipients of Pfizer's Cyber Café Project, an initiative developed by Pfizer, the world's leading pharmaceutical company, to support its partners in the medical community.
The institutions' inclusion in the project was determined after meeting the criteria set for the project's partners. The criteria include being a medical center, a medical school and an accredited training institute that makes a significant impact to the healthcare environment.
To seal the partnerships, two separate memorandum of agreement signing were held in Cebu City. Pfizer was represented by its President and Country Manager Rey Gerardo E. Bacarro, Pfizer's Medical Director Dr. Anthony Leachon and National Sales Director Edgardo Rufino. CIM's President Dr. Jacinto Velez, Jr., Dean Dr. Josefina Poblete and Treasurer Dr. Carmen Velez were on hand to sign the agreement for Cebu Institute of Medicine while Cebu Doctors Hospital was represented by its President Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal, Jr., Vice President Dr. Enrico Gruet and Administrator Engr. Oscar Tuason.
"There is no question about the important role that science and technology play in the areas of medicine and healthcare. It remains a challenge, however for medical practitioners to constantly keep themselves updated on the latest advances which could help cure illnesses or even save the lives of their patients," says Pfizer's Gerry Bacarro. "We believe that through this project, Pfizer can help our partners in the medical community realize that goal in order to provide high quality healthcare, " adds Bacarro.
The Pfizer Cyber Café Project involves the setting up of virtual libraries in major medical institutions to help doctors, medical practitioners and students conduct medical research. Among the facilities offered by the Cyber Cafes are computers, Internet service, a mini-library, conference rooms and audio-visual facilities. The virtual libraries will also allow users to gather information from medical publications and scientific journals to keep them abreast of medical advancements and scientific developments globally.
Launched in 2001, the Cyber Café Project is currently implemented in 5 locations. These are at the Pfizer Head Office, the Philippine General Hospital-Pfizer Virtual Library, UST-Pfizer Virtual Library, Philippine Heart Center-MAS-Pfizer Information Center for Doctors and Patients and the DOH-Doctor-to-the-Barrios-Pfizer Training and Learning Center.
The CIM and CDH Cyber Cafés will be completed and inaugurated in August and September 2003.
Pfizer, Inc. is a global research-based healthcare company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medicines for humans and animals, and many of the world's best-known consumer products.
