QUEZON CITY -- The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), is an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH), and the governing body for Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) in the Philippines. Created through Republic Act 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997, the institute focuses on research and development; promotion and advocacy; and the formulation of standards, guidelines and codes of ethical practice for the integration of T&CM into the National Health Care Delivery Systems.

PITAHC has conceptualized the “PITAHC Seal of Excellence, the Search for Traditional and Complementary Champions” an award system envisioned to promote the highest level of professional standards, inspire excellence, and community service as part of PITAHC’s communication plan. The PITAHC Seal of Excellence (SOE) will recognize the outstanding practices and contributions of the Local Government Units (LGU), the DOH Centers for Health Development (CHD) and the DOH retained Hospitals in raising the profile of T&CM among Filipino health consumers and the society at large. 

“PITAHC is hoping that through the SOE, T&CM will receive the attention that it really needs and with the assistance of the LGU, CHD, and DOH retained hospitals, T&CM will be able to complement Universal Health Care” Director General Dr. Annabelle Pabiona-De Guzman said. 

PITAHC will be presenting the Gold Seal of Excellence, Bronze Seal of Excellence and Silver Seal of Excellence awards on July 6, 2023, at the SEDA Vertis North, Quezon City. The BRONZE and SILVER Seals of Excellence are considered runners up, and the GOLD Seal is the winner. Winners will receive specially designed trophies, certificates and awards in the form of PITAHC products.

The awardees were judged based on their comprehensive efforts to implement RA 8423, its IRR, including PITAHC programs and activities, highlighting achievements on: P – Pioneering and innovative Practices, I – Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials developed, produced/reproduced and distributed, T – Training & Education attended by staff, A – Advancement of at least one T&CM Modality through research, H – Herbal/Communal Garden and C – Community development & Services. 

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a simple step, may this awarding ceremony pave the way for the promotion of the advocacy of Traditional & Complementary Medicine.” Director General De Guzman added. (DOH PITAHC)