History of PAMET
By: Leila Lany Monserrat-Florento, RMT, Ph.D.
The Philippine Association of MedicalTechnologists, Inc. otherwise known as the PAMET, is the national organization of all registered MedicalTechnologists / Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Philippines. It is a non-stock, non-profit organization. The association was organized by Mr. Crisanto Almario (recognized as the Father of PAMET) who felt the need to standardize the profession and sought to improve and upgrade the practice. From the initial pre-organizational planning and conceptualization, PAMET was born on September 15, 1963 at the Public Health Laboratory at 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
The first national convention was held at the Conference Hall of the Far Eastern University Hospital on September 20, 1964 where Mr. Charlemagne Tamondong became the first President. Originally, with a handful of intrepid visionaries, the association steadily grew. Undaunted by the seemingly insurmountable difficulties then, the membership of PAMET worked toward the passage of Republic Act 005527 known as “The Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969”. The law defined the practice of Medical Technology. The law further recognized Medical Technology as a profession, subject to registration and regulation by the government. It was enacted into law on June 21, 1969. It was incorporated and registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 1969, with Reg. No 39570 during the presidency of Mr. Nardito Moraleta. A few days before the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos declared the 3rd week of September as a celebration of the Medical Technology profession.
On June 22, 1973, PD 223 was approved creating the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). PAMET was officially recognized as the only Accredited Organization (APO) of registered Medical Technologists in the Philippines. In the last decade, the focus of PAMET has been to widen membership and establish chapters. The LAB NEWS which was later changed to PAMETLINK, its official publications had its inaugural issue. PAMET is a national body with forty-six (46) provincial chapters nationwide divided into four (4) regions such as North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Region and three international affiliates such as PAMET Singapore, Eastern Region Middle East and Western Region Middle East. PAMET collaborates with other local professional associations namely, Council of Professional Health Associations (COPHA), Philippine Federation of Professional Association (PFPA), Council of Health Agencies of the Philippines (CHAP), Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in Clinical Laboratories (PCQACL) and Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health and Hygiene (PASMETH). It is also linked with other government agencies such as Department of Health (DOH) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED). In the nineties, PAMET took great strides in its campaign for national recognition. From an organization that has mostly worked in the narrow confines of its internal borders, it sought to break its isolation.
PAMET engaged in national programs in cooperation with other institutions and actively pursued its membership in international organizations. PAMET became involved with different projects of the Department of Health, the Wash Hand Campaign and Scholarship Programs for Medical Technology students with Procter & Gamble, Phils and with the Japan International Medical Technology Foundation (JIMTEF) where it sends scholars to Japan for study grants and transfer of technologies in the field of Microbiology, Immunology and Leadership.The Continuing Professional Education has been undertaken throughout the years, even before it was mandated by the PRC for the renewal of licenses. It speaks of the commitment to encourage its members to learn new technologies and update knowledge. Internationally, PAMET is a member of the ASEAN Association of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (AACLS), Asia Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (AAMLS). PAMET became member of Asia-Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory.
Medicine (APFCB) in 2007 and then became member of International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). PAMET is the 83rd full member of IFCC in 2009 with IFCC numbering system 02.01.92. In 1995, it acquired its own office in a Makati condominium –Unit 1720, Cityland 10, Tower 2, 6817 Ayala Avenue North, Makati City and in 2006, additional extension of 2 units were acquired.
For 50 years the PAMET has gone through the difficulties of being a neophyte and has emerged as a robust and stable organization prepared to immerse itself into issues of national and local interest. It is going into the next millennium with the goal of providing improved benefits for its membership and strengthening the image of the Medical Technology professional
