Elekta Philippines
In 1997, Dr. Eduardo Mercado together with friends and other doctors, established Gamma Knife center which is the first and
the only Gamma Knife facility in the Philippines. For financing the project, an independent corporation under the armed forces
of the Philippines, was involved in the company as a partner along with the neuro-physicians. To spread knowledge about the
centre, free treatment had been initially offered to soldiers who needed this treatment. The first doctors were trained in Gamma
Knife centers in Sweden, and Germany. To counter problems with old traditions in Philippines, the company introduced the
Leksell Gamma Knife through lectures, newspaper articles and journal articles. Word-of-mouth recommendations by satisfied
patients and doctors helped to establish its reputation. To recruit the employee, Elekta Philippines use personal relations for
recruitment. Majority of the employees are related to each other. More emphasis has been given on personal liking and
acquaintance than competence. This is a sign of collectivism and uncertainty avoidance which is based on trust.
The company adapts the prices based on the financial capacity of the patients. To live up to the promised standard the doctors
act with a Western attitude in respect of time, management and professionalism, which help to develop trust in the local market.
But the old machine has been a point of criticism from the competitors and the local physicians. The machine underwent little
upgrading in its lifetime and thereby became difficult for the center to offer a worldwide standard service to the clients. The
advanced technology applied in the new machine and its high price are not found justified by the management for the
Philippines market. New training by Elekta has therefore not been necessity as the local physicians could handle the treatment
well and also succeeded to make some adaptations of the Gamma knife machine to keep it functioning after a period of 15 years.
The doctors claim that through local adaptation and long experience, they can still offer a quality service to the patients.
Informal relationships with medical schools and hospitals spread positive information about the center. It offers medical students
internships which gives Elekta Philippines recognition in the local society. In addition to regular treatments it also uses the
equipments for treating Parkinson, dystopia and some other diseases. Being a member of Leksell Gamma Knife Society, Elekta
Philippines shares information, experiences, clinical techniques and advances in scientific research with the co-users.