EARLY BEGINNING OF MEDICAL The polyuria of diabetes was also noted in

TECHNOLOGY ancient times.

460 BC A Hindu physician recorded the

• The Greek physician Hippocrates, sweet taste of a diabetic urine.
also known as the father medicine,
formulated the famous Hippocratic • Vivian Herrick traces the beginning
Oath, the code of ethics for of Medical Technology in the year
practicing physicians. 1500 BC, when intestinal parasites
• In this oath, he described the four Taenia and Ascaris were identified.
“humors” or body fluids in man: • Ebers Papyrus- believe that medical
• Blood technology began when a book for
• Phlegm the treatment of disease was
• Yellow Bile published, which contained the
• Black Bile description of the three stages of
hookworm infection and the disease
it could produced to humans.
These four humors or body fluids were felt
to be the Source of a person’s disposition • Ruth Williams believe that medical
and disease in ancient times technology began from the medieval
period (1096-1438) as supported by
During the early times, urine was regarded the fact that urinalysis was a fad.
as a composite of these humors. Visual
examination of urine at the bedside could • Early Hindu doctors made the
diagnose illness. "scientific observation" that the
urine of certain individual attracted
Astrology and superstition also ants, and that such urine has a
influences physicians in making sweetish taste.
diagnoses, but they made
credible observations about • In the 14th century, Anne
urine. Fagelson believe that medical
technology started when a
Urinalysis, or the study of urine, had been prominent Italian doctor, Mondino
passed down from ancient times and is de Liuzzi at the University of Bologna
regarded as the oldest of laboratory employed Alessandra Giliani to
procedures today. perform different tasks in the
 laboratory, unfortunately she died it in 1882 (published 1884), Hans Christian
due to laboratory acquired infection. Gram, is one of the most important staining
techniques in microbiology. (It is almost always
Medical technology developed as the first test performed for the identification of
bacteria.)
the years passed.
Gram staining technique
1632 - Anton Van Leeuwenhoek Classifies bacteria if it is Gram-positive
invented and improved the (violet/purple) or Gram-negative (pink/red)
compound microscope.
- 1st to describe red blood cells, to see
The emergence of clinical laboratories in
protozoa, and to classify bacteria
the United States occurred in late 19th
according to shape. His invention led
century due to advance in medical
to the rapid progress of microbiology
science.
and pathology

1878 - Dr. William H. Welch

Marcelo Malphigi (1628-1694) was
established a laboratory at the Bellevue
described as the greatest of early
Hospital Medical College. He gave the
microscopist. His contributions to
first laboratory course in pathology
embryology and anatomy made him known
ever offered in an American Medical
as the Father of Modern Anatomic
School.
Pathology.

1885 - Dr. Welch became the

Rudolph Virchow, in 1847, was one of the
first professor of Pathology at John
youngest medical specialists and also
Hopkins University
practiced pathology. He was the founder of
Archives of Pathology in Berlin and
The first clinical laboratory was
considered to be the Father of Modern
opened in 1896 at the John Hopkins
Pathology
Hospital by Dr. William Osler.

As science progressed, laboratory

In this laboratory, routine examination
tests were greatly improved. were carried out, special attention
being given to the search for malarial
1848 - Herman Fehling performed the first parasites in the blood.
quantitative test for urine sugar
1896 - A clinical laboratory was also opened
Gram staining method, named after the at the University of Pennsylvania called
Danish bacteriologist who originally devised William Pepper Laboratory.
 1922 - 3035 hospitals had their clinical
1908 - Dr. James C. Todd wrote “A Manual laboratories.
of Clinical Diagnosis”. • In 1915, the state legislature of
Pennsylvania enacted a law
The book was retitled “Clinical Diagnosis by requiring all hospitals and institutions to
Laboratory Methods” in its 19th edition. This have an adequate
book became the standard reference for laboratory and to employ a full time
clinical laboratories. laboratory technicians.
• World War I was an important factor in the
Dr. John Bernard Henry (1928- 2009) edited growth of the clinical
Clinical Diagnosis and Management by laboratory and produced a great demand for
Laboratory Methods, from the 14th edition technicians. The demand for technicians in
in 1969 to the 20th edition in 2001. the clinical laboratories continued, so
practicing physicians with the knowledge of
Physicians and medical technologists the laboratory began to teach their
worldwide used this landmark text to gain a assistants to do some tests for them.
rich understanding of the role of diagnostic
testing in health and disease One of the first schools for training workers
was established at the University of
During his career, he authored more than Minnesota. A course bulletin was entitled
250 articles, wrote many book chapters, and “Courses in Medical Technology for Clinical
edited the aforementioned text but still had and Laboratory Technicians” was
time for leadership positions in medical issued in 1922.
service organizations.
•He was president of the American Board of • Certainly, University of Minnesota was the
Pathology, 1976–1978; American Society of first to offer a degree level program believed
Clinical Pathologists, 1980–1981; American to be in 1923.
Blood Commission, 1978–1980; and the
American Association of Blood Banks, • More societies were developed and in
1970–1971. He was also a governor of the 1936 the American Board of
College of American Pathologists, 1993– Pathology was established.
1999
World War II marked effect on Laboratory
In 1900 census, 100 technicians, were Medicine. The use of
employed in the United blood increased and the “closed system” of
States. This increased to 3,500 in 1920. blood collection was
widely adopted.
• Instrumentation was advanced and with not seem to be interested in pursuing the
these instruments, the objectives of laboratory.
measurement of the intensity of color • The World War ended on September
production, dozens of new 1945, and barely a month after,
chemical tests became possible. the laboratory was formerly re-organized by
• Automated equipment appeared and Dr. Alfredo Pio de Roda and assisted by Dr.
quality control programs Mariano Icasiano who was then the Manila
became the common place. Laboratory City Health Officer. The laboratory was later
medicine moved into an era name Manila Public Health Laboratory.
of sophistication.
A training program for individuals aspiring to
become laboratory workers was offered in
HISTORY OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 1947 by Dr. Pio de Roda, in collaboration
IN THE PHILIPPINES with Dr. Prudencia Sta. Ana.
• Trainees were mostly high school
graduates and paramedical
January 9, 1945 - 850 US ships of the 6th US
graduates. The training proved to be
Army began around-about to Lingayen Gulf
ineffective because the trainees
attempting to mislead the Japanese.
were never motivated and there was no
Manila was taken and Corregidor was
program that was supposed to
liberated.
last for a definite period and no certificates
were issued to trainees.
Medical facilities were made available to the
• Realizing this, Dr. Pio de Roda instructed
Philippines which
Dr. Sta. Ana to prepare a
includes the 26th Medical Laboratory of the
formal syllabus of the training program. In
6th US Army.
1954, the training began
• The said laboratory was located at
using a syllabus and it was to last for 6
Quiricada, Sta. Cruz, Manila, but
months.
now known as the Public Health Laboratory,
• The training program offered by Dr. Pio de
a division of the Manila Health Department.
Roda did not last long, for during the same
• As early as February of that year, training
year, the formal education of Medical
of civilians to become members of the
Technology in the Philippines was
health care team was already being done.
introduced.

The 6th US Army left the laboratory on June

The first four-year B.S. Medical Technology
1945. The laboratory was
course was offered in 1953 by Philippine
endorsed to the National Department of
Union College of Baesa, Caloocan, Rizal
Health but the department did
through its sister establishment, Manila batch of graduates.
Sanitarium and Hospital.
• The Far Easter University followed in
Mrs. Willa Hilgert-Hedrick establishing a school for Medical
• founder of Medical Technology Education Technology. It was initiated by the Dr.
in the Philippines Horacio A. Ylagan and Dr. Serafin J. Juliano.
• She was an American Seventh Day In 1961, the idea was brought to the
Adventist missionary to the Philippines Advisory Council of the University, and was
• After 2 years (1956), PUC graduated its finally opened in 1962 under the joint
first graduate – Dr. Jesse auspices of the Institute of Medicine (now
Umali, who is an OB-gynecologist and owner known as Nicanor Reyes Medical
of Omega Lab, Vito Foundation) and Institute of Arts and
Cruz, Manila. Sciences. It produced its first graduates in
1963.
During the school years 1957-1958, Dr.
Antonio Gabriel and Dr. Gustavo U. Reyes of Many schools followed to offer B.S. Medical
the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Technology course.
Santo Tomas offered medical technology as • The University of the Philippines offer a
an elective to 4th and 5th year B.S. similar course but the
Pharmacy students. degree conferred is B.S. Public Health.
• Postgraduate studies are offered to B.S.
Due to the popularity of the said profession Medical Technology graduates. The UST
among Pharmacy students, the regent back graduate school and the Philippine Women’s
then, Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Rodriguez University are offering M.S. in Medical
decided to offer it as a course. Technology. And also, the University of the
Philippines is offering degree in Master in
The full recognition of the 4 year BS Medical Public Health.
Technology course
was given on June 14, 1961. ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
IN RELATION TO MEDICAL
In Centro Escolar University, Mrs.
Purificacion Sunico-Suaco
TECHNOLOGY
undertook possibility study for the offering
of Medical Technology PASMETH (Philippine Association of Schools
course. The proposal was granted of Medical Technology and
permission by the University Public Health, Inc.)
president back then, Carmen de Luna. In • The national organization of recognized
1962, it produced its 1st schools of Medical
technology in the Philippines. • Dean Zenaida C. Cajucom (2002-2010)
• It was formed in 1970 by some • Magdalena Natividad(2010-2012)
representatives of schools of • Dean Bernard Ebuen (2012 – present)
Medical Technology / Public Health in the
Philippines in their PASMETH accomplishments include:
desire to maintain the highest standard of • Continuing professional education
education and to foster program for Medical Technology Faculty
closer relations among these schools. • Preparation of a standard curriculum for
B.S. Medical Technology schools
On May 13, 1970, Director Narciso • Preparation of a standard course syllabi for
Albarracin appointed Dr. Serafin Juliano and professional subjects in Medical Technology
Dr. Gustavo U. Reyes to organize an • Scholarship grants for Med. Tech. students
association of Deans/Heads of Schools of • Community outreach projects
Medical Technology and Hygiene. • Recognition to graduates of B.S. Med.
• The first organizational meeting was held Tech course (PASMETH Gold Medal Award)
at the University of Santo • Accreditation as CPE provider for medical
Tomas on June 22, 1970 technologists

The first sets of officers were: PAMET (The Philippine Association of

• President: Dr. Gustavo Reyes Medical Technologist, Inc.)
• Vice-President Dr. Serafin Juliano
• Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Velia Trinidad - is the national organization of all
• Press Relation Officer Dr. Faustino Sunico registered medical technologist in
the Philippines.
Others who served as PASMETH presidents • It is a non-stock, non-profit organization.
were: • It was organized by Mr. Crisanto Almario
• Dr. Ibarra Panopio (1973-1974) (recognized as the father of PAMET) in an
• Dr. Angelita G. Adeva (1974-1977) attempt to standardize and to give dignity
• Dr. Elizabeth M. del Rio (1977-1981) to the profession on September 15, 1963, at
• Dr. Gustavo Reyes – Dr. Claro D. Cabrera the Manila Public Health Laboratory in Sta.
(1981-1982) Cruz, Manila.
• Dr. Elizabeth M. del Rio (1982-1983)
• Dr. Norma V. Lerma (1983-1984) The first national convention of PAMET was
• Dr. Vicencio T. Torres (1984-1985) held at the Far Eastern University on
• Prof. Nardito Moraleta (1985-1988) September 20, 1964 where in Mr.
• Dean Norma N. Chang (1988-1995) Charlemagne Tamondong became the first
• Prof. Rodolfo R. Rabor (1996-1999) president.
• Dean Nini F. Lim (1999-2002)
• It was incorporated and registered at the • Marilyn R. Atienza (1992-1996)
Securities mid Exchange Commission on • Norma N. Chang (1997 – 2000)
October 14, 1969 with Reg. No. 39570, • Agnes B. Medenilla (2001-2002, 2005-
during the presidency of Mr. Nardito D. 2006)
Moraleta. • Shirley F. Cruzada (2003-2004)
• On June 22, 1973, P.D.223 was approved • Leila M. Florento (2007-2013)
creating the Professional Regulation • Romeo Joseph J. Ignacio (2013-2015)
Commission (PRC). PAMET was officially • Ronaldo Puno (2016-2020)
recognized as the only Accredited • Rommel Saceda (2021-present)
Professional Organization (APO) of
registered Medical Technologists in the
Philippines

PAMET is a national body with 47 provincial

chapters nationwide
totaling to more than thirteen thousand HIGHLIGHTS OF PAMET LEADERSHIP
(13,000) members. AND LEGACY OF PRESIDENTS
• PAMET is affiliated with other local
professional associations 1st President Charlemagne Tamondong
namely Council of Professional Health (1963-1967)
Associations (COPHA), • Recognition of PAMET as a professional
Philippine Federation of Professional organization of
Associations (PFPA), Council medical technologists in the Philippines
of Health Agencies (CHAP), Philippine • Approval of House Bill No. 7082 (Med Tech
Council for Quality Bill) on May 10, 1967
Assurance in Clinical Laboratories (PCQACL)
and Alliance of
Nardito Moraleta (1967-1970)
Allied Health Organizations of the Nation
• Worked for the approval of RA 5527 also
(AAHON)
known as Philippine Medical Technology Act
of 1969
The presidents of PAMET:
• Registration of PAMET with International
• Charlemagne T. Tamondong (1963-1967)
Association of Medical Laboratory
• Nardito D. Moraleta (1967 – 1970 )
Technologists (IAMLT) on May 28, 1970
• Felix. E. Asprer (1970-1971, 1973-1977)
• Publication of the PAMET NEWS, the first
• Bernardo T. Tabaosares (1971-1973)
official newsletter of the association
• Angelina R. Jose (1973)
• Organization of Council of Med Tech in
• Venerable C.V. Oca (1977-1981)
1969 in compliance with RA 5527
• Carmencita P. Acedera (1982-1992)
Felix Asprer (1970-1971) Individual Training Scholarship Grant for
• Accreditation of PAMET as a bonafide PAMET members
professional • Partnership with Procter and Gamble and
organization for Medical Technologists with PASMETH for awarding scholarship to
Professional undergraduate medical technology students
Regulation Commission (PRC) on May 24, • Approval for the upgrading the salary
1975 standardization of government medical
• Organization of more PAMET chapters like technologists from Salary Grade 13 to Salary
La Union, Grade 22
Pangasinan, Zambales and Zamboanga • inclusion of hazard pay equivalent to at
least 25% of the monthly basic salary of
Bernardo Tabaosares (1971-1973) medical technologists in government
• Amendments the Teves Law (about the Practice
salaries of Medical Professionals)
• Proclamation of the 3rd week of Marilyn Atienza (1992-1996)
September as Medical technology Week in • Institutionalization of the Professional
the Philippines Development Program; Visibility and
• Organization of PAMET chapter in Davao proactivism of the association
City • Acquisition of the PAMET Secretariat
Office at Cityland 10 in Makati City in 1995
Angelina Jose (1973) • Approval of the PAMET Constitution and
• Approval of professional tax (then 75 By Laws in 1992
pesos, now 300 pesos) • Inclusion of sectoral representatives in the
for Registered Medical Technologists (RMT) National Board of Directors
by Bureau of Internal Revenue
• Upgrading of Medical technology Norma Chang (1997-2000)
Profession from Professional Code 20 to 3 • Approval of the 1997 Code of Ethics of the
Medical Technology Profession
Venerable Oca (1977-1982) • Accident and sickness assistance to
• Monthly seminars or the Continuing bonafide members of the association
Professional Education through the Bayanihan Plan
for Medical Technologists • Publication of the PAMET Link, the official
• Monthly medical technology quiz contest newsletter of the association
• Classification of PAMET membership into • Formation of the Philippine Council for
different categories Quality Assurance in Clinical Laboratories
Carmencita Acedera (1982-1991) which include member organizations like
• Affiliation with Japan International Medical PSP, DOH-BRL, PSQUA and PAMET
Technology Foundation (JIMTEF) for the
Agnes Medenilla (2001-2002) INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND
• Proposed amendments of RA 5527 to CERTIFYING EXAMINATIONS
Lower House of Congress
• Job Fair activity for the newly registered ASCP (The American Society for Clinical
medical technologists Pathology)
• Partnership with the Procter and Gamble - is the world’s largest professional
for awarding scholarship grant to PAMET membership organization for
members who are candidates for Masteral pathologists and laboratory
and doctorate degrees professionals.
• Their goal is to provide excellence in
Shirley Cruzada (2003-2004) education, certification
Leila M. Florento (2007-2013) and advocacy on behalf of patients,
pathologists and laboratory
professionals across the globe. With more
than 100,000
PHISMETS (Philippine Society of Medical members, the society’s influence has guided
Technology Students) the application
and evolution of the pathology and
• The objectives of the association are: laboratory medicine
• To organize a central body that specialty since 1922.
coordinates all the activities
pertinent to Medical Technology student The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC), with
development. accreditation from the American National
• To promote the growth and development Standards Institute, is the oldest and
of all Medical Technology students largest certification agency for pathologists
• To promote and stimulate the exchange of and laboratory professionals.
best practices in Medical Technology • Administratively independent of the ASCP,
through international, national, the BOC has certified more than 450,000
regional/provincial and local conferences, people since it was founded in 1928 and
seminar workshops, colloquia, and represents the gold standard for
meetings. certification of pathologists’ assistants and
• To promote, stimulate and support laboratory professionals.
student research in the area • ASCPi—ASCP’s international certification
of Medical Technology and related fields. credential—is now
• To provide an information network and offered worldwide
monitoring system of activities in the
Medical Technology
AMT ( American MedicalTechnologists) PROFESSIONAL-ETHICS
Founded in 1939, American Medical Professional ethics defines the basic
Technologists (AMT) is a nationally and expectations and sets forth
internationally recognized certification the ethical principles the profession has for
agency and membership society for the every member.
following allied health
professionals: It is a moral guide which governs the
Laboratory Medical Technologist professional and personal conduct of all
Medical Laboratory Technician regulated members of the profession and
conveys to the public the principles by which
Phlebotomy Technician
professional performance is adjudicated.
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Clinical Laboratory Consultant 1. Respect
Medical Laboratory Technologists value and
Medical Office
protect the welfare and dignity of all
Medical Assistant individuals. We are respectful, accessible,
Phlebotomy Technician and cooperative with patients, colleagues,
and other healthcare providers to provide
Medical Administrative Specialist
effective patient care.
Allied Health Instructor
AMT certification examinations are 2. Professional attitude and Behavior
developed, administered, and analyzed Medical Laboratory Technologists are
using industry standards and state-of-the-art honest, dependable, and equitable. We
methodologies. contribute to the development of the
profession through collegiality, mentorship,
• Each examination is developed by a self-development, and support of its
committee of subjectmatter experts. As the institutions.
tests provide only one source of information
regarding examinee competence, they are 3. Professional development
used in conjunction with other indicators of Medical Laboratory Technologists strive for
training and experience in the granting of excellence in their professional practice and
certification. personal conduct through life-long learning.
• Once certification is granted, applicants We enhance our own well-being and fitness
automatically become members of AMT and to practice and augment our knowledge,
have a host of member benefits at their skills, judgments, and attitudes through
disposal. continuing education

4. Accountability
Medical Laboratory Technologists are BIOETHICS
accountable for their actions. We are BIOETHICS is a branch of applied ethics that
responsible first to the individual, then to studies the philosophical, social, and legal
society and the environment for safe and issues arising in medicine and the life
lawful practice, and the sustainable use of sciences.
resources. It is chiefly concerned with human life and
well-being, though it sometimes also treats
5. Confidentiality and conflict of interest ethical questions relating to the nonhuman
Medical Laboratory Technologists biological environment.
understand and comply with applicable
privacy legislation and policies regarding the BASIC PRINCIPLES AND MEDICAL ETHICS
collection, use, and disclosure of Beneficence
confidential information. The principle of beneficence is the
obligation of health care provider to act
We recognize and disclose conflicts of for the benefit of the patient and supports a
interest, and resolve them in a manner number of moral rules to protect and
which maintains the integrity of personal defend the right of others.
health information and protects the best
interest of patient care. Non-maleficence
Nonmaleficence is the obligation of health
6. Safety care provider not to harm the patient. This
Medical Laboratory Technologists promote a simply stated principle supports several
culture of safety. We practice in compliance moral rules – do not kill, do not cause pain
with all current provincial and federal or suffering, do not incapacitate, do not
legislation for the protection of patients, cause offense, and do not deprive others of
colleagues, healthcare providers, society, the goods of life.
the environment, and ourselves with the
intent to minimize the risk of harm.
Autonomy
Requires that the patient have autonomy of
7. Professional Responsibility
thought, intention, and action when making
Medical Laboratory Technologists promote
decisions regarding health care procedures.
excellence in the profession and practice
Therefore, the decision-making process
within the scope of professional
must be free of coercion. In order for a
competence.
patient to make a fully informed decision,
We recognize self-regulation is a privilege
she/he must understand all risks and
which individual members of the profession
benefits of the procedure and the likelihood
merit through adherence to the Code of
of success.
Ethics and the Standards of Practice.
Justice I shall review the professional work of other
refers to the fair, equitable, and appropriate medical technologists, when requested fairly
distribution of healthcare resources and in confidence whether they are
determined by justified norms that structure subordinates or employees, authors of
the terms of social cooperation proposals for grants or contracts, authors of
technical papers or other publications or
PHILIPPINE CODE OF ETHICS involved in litigation;
As I enter into the practice of Medical
Technology, I shall advance the profession by exchanging
I shall accept the responsibilities inherent to general information and experience with
being a professional; fellow medical technologists and other
I shall uphold the law and shall not engage in professionals and by contributing to the
illegal work nor cooperate with anyone so work of professional organizations;
engaged; I shall restrict my praises, criticisms, views
I shall avoid associating or being identified and opinions within constructive limits and
with any enterprise of questionable shall not use the knowledge I know for
character; selfish ends;
I shall treat any information I acquired about
I shall work and act in a strict spirit of individuals in the course of my work as
fairness to employer, clients, contractors, strictly confidential, and maybe divulged
employees and in a spirit of personal only to authorized persons or entities or
helpfulness and fraternity toward other with consent of the individual when
members of the profession; necessary;
I shall use only honorable means of
competition for professional employment or I shall report any infractions of these
services and shall refrain from unfairly principles of professional conduct to the
injuring, directly or indirectly, the authorities responsible of enforcement of
professional reputation, projects or applicable laws or regulations, or to the
business of a fellow medical technologist; Ethics Committee of the Philippine
Association of Medical Technologists as may
I shall accept employment from more than be appropriate.
one employer only when there is no conflict To these principles, I hereby subscribe and
of interest; pledge to conduct
I shall perform professional work in a myself at all times in a manner befitting the
manner that merits full confidence and trust dignity of my profession.
carried out with absolute reliability,
accuracy, fairness and honest;