Alliance formed between Cebu, Russian doctors for medical innovations

CEBU, Philippines — As part of the goals for the Cebu Health, Investment, and Tourism Summit in Cebu last week attended by Russian delegates from Saint Petersburg, doctors from Cebu and Russia have signed a “pledge of allegiance and commitment” to the newly-formed “Sugbo-SP-Russo Health Alliance".

"The alliance aims to organize a bilateral connection in the sphere of scientific, educational, and innovation activities in the field of medicine such as, but not limited to, oncology," the Capitol said through its media arm, Sugbo News.

The signing was done during the Cebu Health Summit held at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) on August 23, 2024.

Second district Board Member Dr. Stanley Caminero was designated as interim chairman, while Dr. Vladimir Mikhailovich Moiseyenko, director of Napalkov Cancer Center and Dr. Ellie May Villegas, an oncologist from Chong Hua Hospital, were designated as vice chairpersons.

The medical doctors who attended the health summit were automatically inducted as founding members of the alliance.

Aside from creating an alliance, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was also entered into by Napalkov Cancer Center of Russia and VSMMC Cancer Center to continue initiatives on cancer study and treatment.

Under the said understanding, both parties will partner for "continuous exchange of knowledge, scientific information, and practical skills; as well as the carrying out of joint actions in the sphere of scientific, educational, and innovative activities in the field of oncology."

Dr. Moiseyenko and VSMMC chief Dr. Gerardo Aquino Jr. were the signatories of the said MOU. The signing was witnessed by Gov. Gwen Garcia and Dr. Jaime Bernadas of the Department of Health.

The 20 delegates from Russia, after attending the said summit, were able to relax and explore the different tourism destinations in southern Cebu.

From the heritage tour at the Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church in Boljoon to the whale shark watching in Oslob, to the sardine run and island hopping in Moalboal on August 24.

They also witnessed the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024 yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC). (CEBU NEWS)