Hi-Precision celebrates 10 years in Cebu by giving back

CEBU, Philippines - To celebrate is 10th year of operations in Cebu, Hi-Precision Diagnostics is giving back to the community by giving free screenings and other services once every month for the whole year.

“This is our way of giving back to the community because they have supported us through the years. We give free blood tests or other services once every month,” said Dr. Hilton Lim, the managing director.

The free tests and services, which can be availed of at Hi-Precision’s main branch, are usually for common diseases or services that the community needs, Dr. Lim said. Last summer for example, Hi-Precision offered free circumcision; they also gave free cholesterol screening during the following month.

Dr. Lim said that for the month of September, they are planning to give free X-ray services again. He explained they already had free X-ray last June and found out that 40 percent of those who availed of the service had tuberculosis. “We are offering the service again for free so that we can do follow-ups on those who were diagnosed with TB,” he said.

For October, Hi-Precision is planning to give free CBC to address anemia, which Dr. Lim said, is also very common; and diabetes screening in November. “The free service for December is a surprise because it is the last month for our promotion and we want to make it really special,” he added.

To know the schedule and the free service that Hi-Precision will offer for the month, you only have to listen to the radio program of Leo Lastimosa over ABS-CBN’s dyAB. “Leo will interview a doctor who specializes on the featured disease. After the interview, he will then announce the specific service we are giving for free and when this will happen, which usually falls on a Saturday,” said Dr. Lim. The free test or service is available on a first come, first served basis but Dr. Lim said that they usually accommodate up to 200 patients.

“We are really happy with the response. Can you imagine people from as far as Tabuelan in the north and Argao in the south, come to the city for a day to avail of the free service,” he added.

Senior Marketing Executive Maricel Victoria said that Hi-Precision has grown so much over the years not only in terms of the volume of patients but also in the services they offer.

“We bought new machines, we invested on people, we even trained our employees in customer service management so we can give the best possible service to the community,” she said.

Dr. Lim said Hi-Precision revolutionized the diagnostics service in Cebu by being the first to use barcodes and is also an ISO-certified diagnostics clinic. It also makes use of cumulative results, which is a compilation of a patients test results.

The laboratories at Hi-Precision are also online, which means that results of tests and screenings from the different machines go directly to a computer. “This prevents human error,” said Ms. Victoria.

Hi-Precision is also the only diagnostic clinic that offers hard to find tests such as Hepa B DNA, Paternity test, chromosomal analysis and allergy tests.

“Hepa B DNA, which checks if Hepa B has gone into an advance stage, was used to be offered by PGH only so patients would have to go to Manila. Now, Hi-Precision Manila can already do the test. We here in Cebu can facilitate the test and patients can have the result after five working days without going to Manila,” explained Dr. Lim.

He, however, said that the Paternity test that they offer cannot be used in court. “The Paternity test we have is a painless DNA procedure because we use mucosal swab. However, it cannot be used in court because we send our specimen to Genetica in Ohio, U.S.A. When you use a paternity test in court, an expert has to to testify and people from Genetica cannot just come to the Philippines,” he said.

Ms. Victoria also said that Hi-Precision offers NS1 Dengue Test, which can detect dengue if the patient has been having fever for one to three days. “This test can be very useful to check for dengue. Results are out on the same day so it saves you money and stress and gives you peace of mind,” she added.

Hi-Precision, aside from its branches at the Medalle Building along Fuente Osmena and the WES Building along J. Llorente Street, also has branches in Tabunok and Mandaue.

“We are here to provide alternative but quality health care so that patients have options. Our main thrust is to continuously improve the quality of the services we give to better serve our clients,” Ms. Victoria said.?