On 14 and 15 March 2024, the Saint Louis University – Sacred Heart Medical Center (SLU-SHMC), in collaboration with the Human Resources Department, organized a Seminar on Customer and Patient Care: Serving with Empathy and Kindness and the Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. These seminars were conducted by Mrs. Rhoda Joy A. Avila, Guidance Counselor of the Center for Counseling and Wellness and Atty. Brian Jonathan T. Paraan, SLU-SHMC’s Legal Officer respectively. The Seminars were hosted by Mr. Jeremy Lee L. Dela Cruz, Assistant Director of the HRD while the welcome remarks were delivered by SLU-SHMC’s Hospital Administrator, Dr. Paul Adlai B. Quitiquit.
The seminars conducted by Saint Louis University – Sacred Heart Medical Center (SLU-SHMC) align closely with the advocacies of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM). They promote human dignity and rights by emphasizing empathy, kindness, and safeguarding patients’ privacy rights. Discussions on topics like the Data Privacy Act demonstrate a commitment to social justice and advocacy within the healthcare setting, ensuring that all patients are treated fairly and their rights are respected. Moreover, by prioritizing empathy in patient care, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized populations, the seminars reflect the CICM’s mission of serving those in need with compassion and care. Overall, these initiatives contribute to creating a just, equitable, and compassionate healthcare environment in line with the values of the CICM.
The seminars conducted by Saint Louis University – Sacred Heart Medical Center (SLU-SHMC) resonate strongly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). They directly support Goal 3 by promoting and enhancing patient care through empathy and kindness, ultimately contributing to better health and well-being outcomes. Furthermore, the seminars align with Goal 4 by providing quality education to healthcare professionals and staff, raising awareness about patient care practices and data privacy. Through their emphasis on empathy, the seminars also address Goal 10 by striving to reduce inequalities in access to quality healthcare services, ensuring equitable treatment for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Lastly, the discussion of the Data Privacy Act underscores efforts towards Goal 16 by promoting strong institutions and justice, safeguarding individuals’ privacy rights within healthcare settings.
