Manila Doctors Hospital, Benilde partner for accessible services

The Philippine Star

October 25, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Driven by their shared mission to promote mental health and well-being, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) has partnered with the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) to provide accessible psychological health care services to students, faculty members and the wider school community.

Founded in 1956, Manila Doctors Hospital is a premier private tertiary hospital owned by Manila Medical Services Inc., as the health care affiliate of Metrobank Foundation Inc.

The two institutions formalized their alliance through a ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement led by Maria Veronica Perez, Benilde vice president for Lasallian Mission and Student Life and El Anelio Barnachea, RGC, Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) director. They were joined by Karl Aaron Dimaano, Manila Medical Services Inc. president and James Pascual, Finance director.

Through this collaboration, spearheaded by Benilde’s Center for Partnership Advancement, Manila Doctors Hospital will provide reliable in-person and online psychological and psychiatric services to students, faculty and employees referred by the college’s medical professionals.

This likewise covers discounted psychotherapy sessions and prescriptions.

Dimaano noted the cooperation arrives at a time when safety, mental health and overall well-being for the youth require greater attention.

“The modern life challenges brought about by social media, the growing mental health concerns and the incidents of violence in schools lately – these are just some of the realities which remind us of the importance of having a safe structure that allows our young people to access early intervention, professional care and a strong system of support.”

Barnachea said the partnership reflects the expansion of the boundaries of how they protect, support and uplift students.

“For many years, schools and hospitals seemed to operate in separate spheres,” he said. “The school was where children came to learn; the hospital was where they went when they were sick. But we know that a student’s life cannot be completely divided into boxes.”

“The emotional weight, the anxiety and the silent mental health battles our young people face do not vanish when they walk through the school gates,” he added.

Barnachea highlighted that BWC has always been on the front lines of this crisis, with its counselors looking into the eyes of learners who are overwhelmed by academic pressure, social anxieties, stress and depression.

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