CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
3. The circumstances other than the end
TOPIC OUTLINE
A. Definition of Terms
B. History of Laboratory Science and the
Practice of Medical Technology
C. Practice of Medical Technology in the
Philippines
D. PAMET, PASMETH, and PHISMETS
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Law
● Law is defined as a rule of conduct, just,
obligatory, and promulgated by legitimate
authority, and of common observance and
benefit.
Medical Technology Laws
● Medical technology laws are legislative fiats
that have legal effects in the practice of
medical technology in the Philippines.
● These laws set limitations, basic rights,
responsibilities, and obligations that a
professional who engages in the practice of
medical technology must observe.
● In a strict sense, these laws are special penal
laws because a violation of any of its
provisions is punishable either by fine,
imprisonment, or both.
Bioethics
● Bioethics is a philosophical discipline that
deals with the morality of human conduct in
relation to health in particular and to human
life in general.
● Its emphasis on basic ethical doctrines, major
bioethical principles, and its application in
health.
● It also includes the discussion of philosophical
tenets and virtues of health-care providers.
Morality
● Morality is the quality of a human act. The
following are parameters to determine if the
human act is morally good :
1. The act must be good.
2. The act must be good in its end,
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must be good.
HISTORY OF LABORATORY SCIENCE AND THE
PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
● In the past, illnesses and diseases were
considered either curses or punishments from
gods.
● The curiosity and inquisitiveness of the human
mind unveiled the origins of these furtive
conditions and endeavored to discover their
cure.
● Experiments were conducted to prove theories
and principles, and systems of procedures and
techniques were adopted to set standards.
● The grandeur of ancient practice paved the
way for the development of science and
technology.
● The practice of laboratory medicine can be
traced back even before the Medieval Period.
Medieval Period
● A priori, ancient physicians examined
specimens from patients.
● The oldest known test is urinalysis and has
been carried out since ancient times.
Physicians in Babylon made observations on the
color and consistency of urine as early as 4000
BC.
In about 1500 BC, Egyptian documents such as the
Ebers Papyrus contained accounts describing
polyuria and intestinal worms. (In Egypt , the Ebers
Papyrus contains one of the few references to
hookworm disease and the three stages of hookworm
in ancient texts.)
These records were confirmed with the discovery of
calcified helminth eggs in mummies dating back to
1200 BC. The document is based on previous papyri
dated around 5000 BC found in Thebes, Egypt.
The Greek physician Hippocrates was born around
460 BC and closely studied signs and symptoms in
humans and correlated these with possible diseases.
He rejected the concept of sickness as a punishment
from gods. His contributions earned him the title
“Father of Medicine”. He indoctrinated not only the
scientific importance of medicine but also its ethical
standards, as enshrined in the “Hippocratic Oath”.
Rufus of Ephesus is another Greek physician who
CHAPTER 1 : Introduction and History of Medical Technology
first described hematuria or blood in urine.
Antistius, a Roman physician, is considered the first
forensic pathologist. He performed the autopsy on
the corpse of Julius Caesar in 44 BC.
In 500 AD, Indian physicians observed that some
types of urine attracted insects due to its high sugar
content and called madhumeha or “honey urine”.
By 900 AD, Isaac Judeus, a Jewish physician and
philosopher, had devised guidelines for using urine as
a diagnostic aid.
In the 16th century, Girolamo Fracastoro proposed
a primitive version of the “germ theory”. (Germ
theory states that specific microscopic organisms are
the cause of specific diseases.)
This was validated 300 years later by Robert Koch
and Louis Pasteur. Koch also discovered the
tubercle bacillus as the causative organisms of
tuberculosis. (He also discovered Bacillus anthracis,
the causative agent of anthrax.)
William Harvey described the circulation of blood in
1628.
Marcello Malpighi fortified the concept by
ascertaining the existence of capillaries. He is also
the “Founder of Anatomic Pathology”, “Greatest
of the Early Microscopists”.
Richard Lower also conducted the first successful
blood transfusion in animals in 1665.
Jean-Baptiste Denis performed the first animal to
human blood transfusion in 1667. James Blundell
performed the first human to human blood
transfusion in the 1800s.
17th Century
The latter part of the 17th century may be considered
as the premier phase of laboratory medicine,
following the invention of microscopes.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek invented the so-called
“Leeuwenhoek microscopes”, which has a better
magnification, clarity, and resolution. His invention
allowed humans to observe bacteria from teeth
scrapings and protozoa from animal intestines in
1674. He also made accurate descriptions of
spermatozoa (1677) and red blood cells (1684). He
is also termed as the “Father of Bacteriology and
Protozoology”.
18th and 19th Century
The 18th and 19th centuries improved upon ancient
practices with a radical scientific approach.
Johannes Muller pioneered clinical cytology and
described the microscopic structure of various types
of cancer.
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Rudolf Virchow established the fundamentals of
cellular pathology. He founded the Archives of
Pathology in Berlin in 1847.
20th Century
The 20th century introduced more sophisticated
methodologies in laboratory science.
Alexander Fleming had made a landmark
observation that the mold Penicillium killed
staphylococci in culture.
Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian physician, discovered
the major blood groups in 1909, and he received
the 1930 Nobel Prize for Medicine for this
achievement. He also established the Rh blood
system around 1940.
During this period, medical technology education
was already offered as a course in different schools
worldwide.
PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Spanish Regime
● In the Philippines, the practice of laboratory
medicine finds its roots during the Spanish
regime.
The first public health laboratory was established
around 1883.
In 1887, the Spanish colonial health system created
Laboratorio Municipal de Manila in order to
examine food, water, and clinical specimens. It was
during this time that native Filipinos began to engage
in something akin to medical technology.
American Occupation
● During the American occupation, existing
medical approaches were improved upon, and
public health education was introduced.
In 1921, legislation was passed for the establishment
of the School of Hygiene and Public Health.
In 1927, the University of the Philippines formally
opened its degree-granting School of Hygiene and
Public Health, a course analogous to medical
technology education.
Health education, including public health hospitals
and laboratory services, was strengthened during the
Commonwealth Era.
In 1939, the Department of Public Health was
created.
CHAPTER 1 : Introduction and History of Medical Technology
 Empire of Japan
The development of public health in general was
impeded during World War II, when the Philippines
was invaded by the Empire of Japan.
Widespread destruction of medical facilities, including
public health laboratories, occurred during this time.
quality health care by producing accurate laboratory
results on clinical specimens that are used by
physicians to diagnose and treat diseases.
PAMET, PASMETH, AND PHISMETS
The Philippine Association of Medical
Technologists, Inc. (PAMET)

After five years of hostilities, the Philippine public

health sector exerted its earnest effort to rise from the
ashes of war.
In September of 1945, the 26th Medical Laboratory
of the 6th United States Army arrived in the
Philippines and established its advanced clinical
laboratory at 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz,
Manila. This was the first modern laboratory of the
Fig. 1. The PAMET logo
country.
When the 6th US Army departed, the laboratory was Circle symbolizes the continuous
left in the care of the Department of Health. involvement where practice
The clinical laboratory was re-organized by Dr. and education must always
Alfredo Pio de Roda, with the assistance of Dr. be integrated
Mariano Icasiano. It was renamed as Manila Public Triangle is the trilogy of love, respect
Health Laboratory. and integrity
Training of laboratory technicians ensued but did not Microscope & Snake symbolize the science of
last long because the formal education of medical Medical Technology
technology in the Philippines began. Dr. Alfredo Pio profession
de Roda and Dr. Prudencia Sta. Ana trained high
school graduates to become medical laboratory Green the color of health
technicians. Dr. Prudencia Sta. Ana created the 1963 the year of establishment of
syllabus for the 6-month training of students. the organization

● PAMET is the national organization for all

In 1953, the Philippine Union College and Manila
Sanitarium Hospital offered medical technology as a
two-year course through the effort of Willa Hilgert
Hedrick, the pioneer of medical technology
education in the Philippines.
In 1955, Dr. Jesse Umali became its first medical
technology graduate.
The course was then offered by more schools and
eventually adopted a four-year curriculum as it gained
popularity in the field of science and technology.
On June 21, 1969, Republic Act No. 5527,
otherwise known as The Philippine Medical
Technology Act of 1969, was enacted, thereby
making the practice of Medical Technology a
regulated profession in the Philippines.
From thereon, the practice of medical technology
became instrumental in advancing the delivery of
registered medical technologists (RMTs) in the
Philippines.
● It was founded on September 15, 1963, in the
Public Health Laboratory located at 208
Quiricada St., Sta. Cruz, Manila.
● The association was organized by Mr.
Crisanto G. Almario, recognized as the
“Father of PAMET”, who sought to
standardize the profession and to improve and
upgrade its practice.
● On June 21, 1969–through the efforts of
PAMET under its first president Charlemagne
T. Tamondong–Republic Act No. 5527,
otherwise known as the Philippine Medical
Technology Act of 1969, was enacted.
● PAMET was registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on October 14,
1969.
● On June 22, 1973, Presidential Decree No.
223 was approved, thereby creating the
Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC).

3 | CHAPTER 1 : Introduction and History of Medical Technology

 ● On September 6, 1973, through The Philippine Association of Schools of
Proclamation No. 1181, series of 1973, Medical Technology and Public Health
Ferdinand Marcos declared the third week of (PASMETH)
September as a celebration of the medical
technology profession.
● On July 15, 1975, PAMET was accredited by
the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC) as the professional organization of
medical technologists. Since then, PAMET
was officially recognized as the only accredited
professional organization (APO) of RMTs in
the Philippines.
● PAMET was registered with the International
Association of Medical Laboratory Fig. 2. PASMETH logo
Technologists (IAMLT) in 1970 and gained
membership in the ASEAN Association of ● PASMETH is the national organization of all
Medical Laboratory Technologists (AAMLT) recognized schools and colleges of medical
in 1985. technology and public health in the
● On November 22, 1989, PAMET formally Philippines.
adopted its official hymn, “Beloved PAMET”, ● Established on May 13, 1970, PASMETH
which was written by Hector G. Gayares, Jr. continually seeks to improve the quality of
and set into music by Francis Jerota education in the field of clinical laboratory
Pefanco. science.
● The first organizational meeting was held at
the University of Santo Tomas on June 22,
Beloved PAMET 1970.
Lyrics by : Hector G. Gayares ● Dr. Gustavo U. Reyes was elected as the first
Music by : Francis Jerota Pefanco president.
● On May 17, 1971, PASMETH had its first
From various lands, races and places annual meeting at the same university.
With grateful hearts we raise our voices ● PASMETH was formally registered with the
This day to our beloved PAMET Securities and Exchange Commission as a
From whence unity and love cometh non-stock and non-profit entity on October 6,
We join together in brotherhood 1985.
To live up to thine ideals we should
In fields advancement and learning
The Philippine Society of Medical Technology
Thy noble goals maybe our bearing
Students (PHISMETS)
Loyal and true we’ll be to thee
Beloved PAMET this we say,
For service to God and humanity,
With joy we sing for thee ‘til eternity

Past Presidents and the Incumbent President of

PAMET

Fig. 3. PHISMETS logo

● PHISMETS is the national organization of

medical technology students.
● It is under the supervision of PASMETH
president and under the administration of the
Committee on Student Development of
PASMETH.

*organizational, *international

4 | CHAPTER 1 : Introduction and History of Medical Technology