Held in cooperation with the Makati Medical Center Emergency Department, the course focused on the philosophy and practice of risk management.

Doctors, nurses, caregivers, human resource department managers, corporate consultants and other medical practitioners gathered for the whole day affair at the JV del Rosario Function Room of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Conference Center in Makati City.

Dr. Johnny Sinon, deputy regional medical director of International SOS Philippines and chairperson of the Makati Medical Center Emergency Department, opened the two-session course.

International SOS Philippines managing director Serge Grynkewich II welcomed the participants and introduced guest of honor, Department of Health (DoH) director Dr. Carmencita Banatin, who gave a timely wake-up call on behalf of Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Other speakers included leading authorities from around the world involved in various fields of medical care.

International SOS South Asia Region medical director for assistance Dr. Rene De Jongh, delivered a lecture on "Introduction to the philosophy and practice of risk management’’ with focus on intelligent risk management for living and traveling. Dr. Huguette Demers, medical attache of the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines talked about "Emergency situations in remote sites’’ specific to factors which occur when working in remote areas.

Dr. Jeffrey Staples, International SOS Singapore senior medical advisor, lectured on "Pandemic preparedness’’ and the specter of H5N1.

A more local scenario on emergency and preparedness was presented by Director Anthony Rolando D. Golez, deputy administrator of the Department of National Defense’s Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

"Responding to emergency situations in the Philippine setting’’ discussed the clear and present danger of disasters plaguing the Philippines. International SOS Asia Region security director Tony Ridley gave the last lecture which tackled "Business continuity planning for medical facilities.’’