The 2^nd week of April 2010 saw the celebration of Infection Control at St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo. Series of Activities were held in connection with this event. And last April 16, 2010 saw the culmination of the celebration. 

     Visitors, representatives, nurses and doctors from all over Iloilo and of SPHI and the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres began to fill the Conference Room of SPHI at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Upon entering, one would see the masterpieces of the different hospitals of Iloilo City. Posters were displayed on the walls giving the room an art exhibit-like atmosphere. All of the posters had one goal: to show the best ways on practicing infection control.  

     The afternoon opened with a prayer and the Philippine National Anthem. Ludovico Jurao, M.D., Chairman Infection Control Committee, Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital began the afternoon with a brief introduction and remarks about the afternoon’s event after which came everyone’s favorite part of the evening: dinner.  

     With everyone’s appetite satisfied for the night, the program continued with a lecture on Infection Control. Juan Ismael Sumagaysay, M.D. of Iloilo Mission Hospital introduced the speaker. Jodor Lim, M.D. Philippine General Hospital Infectious Disease Specialist is also PHICS Council of Advisers. He gave a brief yet information-loaded lecture which is very relevant on every hospital desires to bring infection control practices on higher level.           

     The program moved on to the awarding of the winners of the inter-hospital poster making contest. The participating hospitals were West Visayas State University Medical Center, St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo, Amusot Seamen’s Hospital, Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital, St. Therese MTC Colleges Hospital and Western Visayas Medical center with the first three earning the first, second and third places respectively. The posters were judged early in the afternoon by a respected panel of judges: Mr. Jerome Golipatan of GMA TV 6 ILOILO, Mr. Willy Co of Light Tops Studio, Ms. Flor D’ Lyn Gallardo, R.N. from the Regions Department of Health, Jodor Lim, M.D. of Iloilo Doctors Hospital and Malbar Ferrer, M.D. of St. Paul's Hospital Iloilo. Awards and certificates were given accordingly by Ellamae Sorongon Divinagracia, M.D., Chairman Infection Control Committee of SPHI and was assisted by Sr. Donatilla Torres, SPC, Pharmacy Supervisor, SPHI. The winning posters will be included in the PHICS Convention on May 27-28 in Manila.  

     The event was sponsored by Johnsons & Johnsons, Berovan Marketing Incorporated, Westmont Pharmaceuticals and Baxter Healthcare Philippines whose representatives also graced the event.  

     The event would not have been possible without Sr. Ma. Linda Tanalgo, SPC, SPHI Administrator and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Centennial Celebration 2011, Ellamae Sorongon Divinagracia, M.D., Chairman of the Infection Control Committee, St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo and Infectious Disease Specialist of SPHI, Sr. Wilsonia Laxina, SPC, Chairman Professional Updates Committee for the Centennial Celebration 2011.