MAYA, the leading financial services platform in the Philippines, is enabling more convenient online payments for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), starting with fees for its National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS).
The service is being provided by Maya Business through Maya Business Manager, its unified platform for businesses of all sizes. For RITM, it will support online payments and simplify collections. Maya is the Philippines’ top acquirer for merchant transactions and the only omnichannel acquirer of scale, while Maya Bank is the country’s largest digital bank.
Since August 26, participating laboratories can complete their NEQAS payments online, reducing the need for in-person transactions for institutions across the country. The service benefits over 6,000 laboratories participating in RITM’s quality-assurance programs nationwide.
RITM is the Department of Health’s main research arm for the prevention and control of infectious and tropical diseases, providing laboratory, clinical, research, and training services nationwide.
NEQAS evaluates the quality and reliability of laboratory testing. Participation in applicable external quality assessment programs is required when laboratories secure or renew their Department of Health (DOH) License to Operate.
Easier payments can help laboratories meet their requirements with fewer manual steps and less time spent traveling or waiting at payment counters. Stronger participation in quality-assurance programs also supports more reliable laboratory services for patients and communities.
“RITM works with laboratories and healthcare professionals from across the Philippines, so it is important that our services are accessible and our processes are efficient,” said Atty. Ana Liza Hombrado-Duran, MD, FPPS, MMHOA, MMPHA, Director IV of RITM. “Enabling online payments for NEQAS is a practical step toward making transactions more convenient for participating institutions and strengthening the delivery of our programs nationwide.”
Through Maya Business, RITM can accept payments digitally while improving payment tracking and reconciliation. Maya’s broader payment acceptance platform supports online and in-person payments through QR, e-wallets, bank transfers, and debit and credit cards.
The NEQAS implementation also provides a starting point for RITM to expand digital payment options across more programs and services.
“Essential public services should be easier to access and complete,” said Peter Thaddeus Cruz, Enterprise Head at Maya. “By enabling online payments for RITM, we are helping laboratories complete important requirements with fewer steps and less reliance on cash or in-person transactions. Over time, the same approach can make more public health services simpler and more convenient for institutions, healthcare professionals and patients.”
The initiative adds to Maya’s work with government institutions to modernize collections and improve the public’s experience of transacting with government. More digital payment options can help agencies reduce queues, simplify processes and serve communities more conveniently.
