NAGA CITY, May 1 (PIA) -- As the premier medical center in Bicol region providing high quality tertiary health care services and world class training and research, the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) inaugurated its new 5-storey Emergency and Diagnostic Complex Building last April 27 at the BMC Complex, here.
The building is part of the BMC Modernization Program under the DOH-funded project initiated by former Health Secretary Enrique Ona upon the recommendations of the Bicol Medical Center Management, the facilities include; a two-storey cancer center, wellness center, cardiac catheterization center and recreational facilities.
Department of Health Secretary (DOH) Secretary Francisco T. Duque III led the solemn blessing and inauguration of the new building with DOH officials, namely; Field Implementation and Management Cluster Assistant Secretary Maria Francia M. Laxama; Sectoral Management and Coordination Cluster Assistant Secretary Nestor F. Santiago, Jr.; DOH ROV Regional Director Napoleon L. Arevalo, BMC Medical Center Chief Maria Estrella B. Litam; and Cam Sur 3rd District Congressman Gabriel Bordado, Jr. as special guest.
The Health Secretary was so impressed with the state-of-the-art medical center, (though not yet complete as Phase 3 of the project will be operational by June 2018 and Phase 4 will be sometime in October 2019 and on with Phase 5) and announced that he will push for the increase in the bed capacity of the hospital hopefully all the way to a thousand bed capacity.
“It’s a personal commitment because in 1961 when my father was Secretary of Health, the Bicol Medical Cener’s bed capacity had been increased from a hundred to 150 bed-capacity hospital. So there is a sentimental link of my Secretaryship to this hospital because my Dad then, and then myself are the first in history of the DOH, and I guess in the whole Philippines where father-and-son became Secretaries of Health,” Duque narrated.
Rebuilt under Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946, BMC started from a 25-bed to 75-bed capacity in 1949 to 100 beds (1959), 150 beds (1961), 200 beds (1975), 250 beds (1979), and 500 beds (1998).
As Duque congratulates the personnel of BMC and other allied health workers for working tirelessly in order to provide quality health services to all patients and clients of not just the province of Camarines Sur but for the whole Bicol region, he reminded and challenge all the medical staff of their mandate of providing quality patient care.
“I always say this and I will say it again. You are not just going to aim for a good patient satisfaction rating. It is not just mere satisfaction rating that you ought to aim for. I challenge you – make it patient endearment! The word ENDEARMENT is very, very important.”
DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Francia M. Laxamana of the Field Implementation and Coordination Cluster also expressed her commendation to BMC as being very fortunate to be part of the modernization of hospitals and health facilities development project of the DOH.
Laxamana said that part of the assessment for BMC as one of the beneficiaries of the very big project of DOH is the full commitment and support of the entire work force of the Center’s highly motivated staff, as she also reminded them to always remember the “3 Cs” of a public servant.
“Nothing is impossible if we only have the 3 Cs of public service – i.e. Compassion, Conscientious commitment - that of looking at the humane side of the patients, and Competent service providers. Hope you will always remember the 3 Cs that I would always want everybody to practice as a public servant,” Laxamana reiterated.
BMC is a Regional Referral Center for 12 services, namely; Cancer, ER-Trauma, Neonatology, Kidney (TOPS), Toxicology and Marine Tox, Burn, Rehabilitation Medicine, Dermatology, Infectious Diseases, Newborn Hearing Screening, Psychiatry, and Geriatrics. (JMadrid/FMirabueno-PIA5/Camarines Sur)