Unilab Foundation Hosts Duke-NUS Medical School’s EMHEAL Global Immersion in the Philippines

The delegation from Duke-NUS’s Executive Master in Healthcare Leadership and Management (EMHEAL) program concluded their Philippine trip with a visit to the Unilab Corporate Center. They are joined by Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, Executive Director of Unilab Foundation and President of Unilab Education and UCHP Program Director Ruben “John” Basa

The Unilab Foundation, supported by Unilab Education, Inc, recently welcomed senior healthcare leaders from Duke-NUS Medical School as they concluded their global immersion program in the Philippines. Duke-NUS, a collaboration between Duke University and the National University of Singapore, selected the Philippines as the final stop in an international series of study tours that also included India and Thailand. The program is designed to expose healthcare executives to diverse regional health systems and centers of manufacturing excellence.

The delegation comprised 12 participants from Duke-NUS’s Executive Master in Healthcare Leadership and Management (EMHEAL) program—a 15-month curriculum that equips senior healthcare professionals to navigate systemic complexity, drive innovation, and uphold ethical leadership in times of institutional strain. During their visit to Unilab, participants gained insights into the intersection of pharmaceutical manufacturing, private healthcare delivery, and health policy, offering a unique perspective on how integrated approaches can strengthen health systems across the region.

First-Hand Look at Pharmaceutical and Clinical Excellence

The multi-day immersion gave EMHEAL participants direct exposure to two flagship facilities of the Unilab Group. At Amherst Laboratories in Mamplasan, Laguna, the delegation toured state-of-the-art solid and liquid dosage plants, gaining insight into the advanced quality control systems and large-scale manufacturing processes that underpin the country’s medicine supply chain. As a recognized regional leader in pharmaceuticals, Amherst demonstrated how operational excellence sustains national health resilience.

The group also visited HealthFirst, a multispecialty clinic network operated by Reliance United, a Unilab subsidiary. Here, participants observed modern, patient-centered models of care designed to make healthcare simpler, more accessible, and more responsive to the needs of Filipino communities. Together, these visits highlighted the synergy between pharmaceutical innovation and clinical service delivery in advancing equitable health outcomes.

Duke-NUS EMHEAL participants inside the Amherst Laboratory as part of their Philippine immersion

Healthfirst representatives welcome the EMHEAL participants as they tour around the Mandaluyong branch.

Strengthening Health Systems through Policy and Education

The visit concluded at the Unilab Corporate Center, where the delegation was formally welcomed by Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, Executive Director of the Unilab Foundation and President of Unilab Education. The program featured a deep-dive session on the Philippine healthcare landscape by the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP).

“We are honored to host the Duke-NUS EMHEAL participants,” said Atty. Ochave. “Through UCHP and UniEd, we remain committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and policy innovation. The engagement of these global leaders with our local facilities underscores the vital role of cross-border collaboration in strengthening healthcare leadership across Asia.”