The first few years of decentralization of Iloilo hospitals and health care proved too daunting for the provincial government of Iloilo. One of the biggest problems was delivery of health services as the province took over 11 district hospitals and the Iloilo Provincial Hospital. Taking in hundreds of health personnel while offering maintenance and management of the hospitals and health units chewed up a huge amount of the provincial budget, resulting to the depletion of funds for other services and general administration of the Provincial Government.

Before 1991, there was a negative impact from the public regarding the Iloilo provincial hospitals due to insufficient and poor maintenance of the facilities, absence of well-trained medical personnel, and inadequate supplies and other resources. The negative perception remained immediately after decentralization due to further deterioration.

Likewise, the financial assistance of the local government for devolution was primarily intended for personnel expenses and minimal was left for maintenance and operating expenses. Cleanliness and sanitary conditions in provincial hospitals were alarming. Capital outlays were not provided during the first years of decentralization. Only marginal improvements for equipment and facilities were implemented.

The problem of the Iloilo Provincial Government was compounded by the fact that the capacity building of hospital personnel was severely affected and there was no organization for human resource development. The lack of medical personnel to assist the number of patients were insufficient and became worse. The confidence of the public in provincial hospitals deteriorated as well.

The Hospital Operations and Management Service (HOMS) of the Provincial Health Office spearheaded the reorganization of the Iloilo health system. The system was designed to restructure the functional departments of provincial hospitals. Under the new system, hospitals were divided into the following units: Nursing, Clinical, Laboratory, Dietary, Pharmacy, Social Services, and Administrative.

Each of the departments would be tasked to coordinate and manage the provincial hospitals for the purpose of planning, development and management of human resources, operations, and procurement and physical development of both District and Provincial Hospitals. Aside from that, each unit of the HOMS would collaborate with their hospital counterparts in discussing needs and problems, in formulating plans and determining the needed actions to solve problems.

For its part, the HOMS was responsible for clearing problems as well as establishing a link between the hospitals and the Provincial Government while ensuring immediate action regarding the needs and problems of hospital facilities.

With the implementation of the HOMS in 2002, one of its initial moves was to perform a baseline assessment of the conditions of the 11 District Hospitals and the Iloilo Provincial Hospital. The task of assessing the condition of each hospital was provided for as a basic requirement of Administrative Order 70-2 Series of 2002 and Administrative Order 147 Series of 2004 of the Department of Health regarding the implementing rules and regulations of the registration, licensing, and operation of hospitals and other health facilities in the country.

The HOMS Information System served as the benchmark for all other Iloilo hospitals and health care. It established a Data Bank, Hospital Monitoring Tools, and Statistical Report.

Overview

The City of Makati has always been known to be a booming commercial district. Almost all the good malls are here in Makati but aside from the convenience of modern living, this city has something else to offer. This city has excellent hospitals and health care providers.

Makati Medical Center

This Makati hospital is located right where it all happens on Ayala Avenue. Makati Medical Center was recently renovated and the creation of a new wing expanded the services that this Makati hospital offers. Makati Medical Center is not a new hospital, in fact it’s almost 4 decades old and the architecture of the former main building will attest to that. However this should not be a reason to dismiss the kind of health care this Makati hospital provides because aside from the state of the art medical equipment that it uses, Makati Medical Center has distinguished doctors and dedicated medical attendants. This Makati hospital offers two different kinds of services: medical and support. Among the medical services offered by the Makati Medical Center are pulmonary diseases, orthopedics, radiology, surgery, dermatology, emergency medicine and the list goes on. Under support services on the other hand, this Makati hospital is committed to making sure their patients come first with nursing services, medical records, pharmacy, dietary, finance and medical education. For a detailed list of the services offered by the Makati Medical Center and the directory of doctors that hold clinic here, simply visit their website www.makatimed.net.ph

Patient’s First

Conveniently located at the Glorietta Mall, Patient’s First provides efficient and effective health care by making sure that their patients are attended to promptly and diagnosed using state of the art technology and modern equipment. Patient’s First is a really an outpatient clinic that is right on top of a drug store so this is really a one-stop medical center. The professionals of Patient’s First regardless of whether they are nurses, doctors, or part of the admin, are highly trained. This Makati hospital also has ambulatory health care and offer a very wide range of diagnostic services, medical and dental to name a few. Patient’s First is open everyday of the week from 9am to 8pm and the doctors that hold clinic at this Makati hospital have various specialties so one is assured that one is getting more than just the basic primary health care. Although Patient’s First does not have its own website, their contact number is (02) 451-8888.

One of the industrializing and inviting places in the Philippines, Subic Bay features different kinds of health care institutions that provide efficient, reliable and high quality medical services to tourists and residents in the area. Subic Bay hospitals and health care establishments ensure patients of reasonable medical costs and immediate response to emergency cases. To address the medical concerns of patients, these institutions employ licensed and outstanding health care professionals who are knowledgeable on various fields. Below are some of the popular and top health care establishments in Subic Bay.

TotalMed Subic Ambulatory and Medical Center

One of the tertiary medical care establishments that offer high quality services to patients is the TotalMed Subic Ambulatory and Medical Center. This health care facility specializes in different fields including pathology, radiology and pediatrics. In addition to this, physicians at the hospital also have sufficient understanding on general surgery, cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology as well as opthalmology. To enhance the accuracy of diagnosis and treatments, TotalMed Subic Ambulatory and Medical Center uses advance and efficient equipment like the two-dimensional echo with Doppler and the 12 lead EKG. To get immediate response from the medical staff at this institution, patients can always reach its administrative staff at (047)-252-2623.

Lifeline Medical Center

Patients who like to be admitted in a hospital that employs competent physicians and health care staff can always visit Lifeline Medical Center. This health care establishment specializes in various areas of medicine such as nephrology, pediatrics, orthopedics as well as urology. In addition to these, physicians at the health care center have sufficient understanding on cardiology and general medicine. Since this is a private hospital, patients are encouraged to allot sufficient amount of money before they consult and have treatments at Lifeline Medical Center.

Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center

Situated at Moonbay Marina in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center offers first class treatments to patients. For the comfort of patients, this health care establishment features a wellness center, private rooms as well as a conference room. The costs of treatments and consultations at this medical establishment are cheaper than the medical costs in other Subic Bay hospitals and health care facilities because medical professionals and physicians offer discounts. Patients have nothing to worry if they want to seek help from the medical staff and physicians at this place because they are competitive and reliable. Some of the medical doctors employed at this institution excel in the fields of general surgery, family medicine, pediatrics as well as emergency medicine.

Sorsogon is one of the provinces in the Philippines that people should pass by if they will travel from Luzon to Visayas. To address the health problems experienced by residents in the area, numerous public and private Sorsogon hospitals and health care were established and opened. Some of the governmental institutions that people can visit if they need medical help are the Andres Bonifacio Memorial Hospital as well as the Irosin District Hospital. Individuals who prefer to be admitted in private medical establishments can always go to the Saint Peter and Paul Hospital.

Andres Bonifacio Memorial Hospital

This medical establishment is situated at the City of Trece Martirez in Casiguran. As one of the public health care units in Sorsogon, it provides free medical assistance programs to local people. Aside from free consultations, this institution offers discounted medical supplies and medicines to patients who cannot afford to pay costly medical bills. To ensure patients of good quality services, the institute hires registered and competitive physicians who will help them. For emergency cases, this health care establishment has a spacious emergency room where patients with serious health conditions can be treated immediately.

Irosin Distric Hospital

Irosin District Hospital is another public health care unit that can be found in the province of Sorsogon. Since it is situated along Maharlika Highway at San Pedro in Irosin, patients will not have a hard time finding this medical establishment. To help patients who need immediate medical assistance, it assigns responsible, competitive and reliable health care staff at the emergency room. In addition to this, this institute has laboratory facilities that are useful in identifying the cause of health problems that are commonly experienced by patients. The other facilities that patients can see at this health care establishment are wards, private rooms and an outpatient section.

Saint Peter and Paul Hospital

To serve individuals who like to be admitted and treated in any of the private Sorsogon hospitals and health care facilities, the city government of Sorsogon approved the opening of Saint Peter and Paul Hospital. As a private medical establishment, people can expect efficient and good quality services at this place. The rooms are air-conditioned and the outpatient area is well-ventilated. Consultation fees at this place range from 200 pesos to 400 pesos. Additionally, patients can ask their physicians for discounts to lessen their medical bills. Moreover, this institute is willing to make special arrangements with healthcard holders. Located along T. Dino Highway at Balogo in Sorsogon City, the establishment is accessible to the various modes of land transportation available in the area. For immediate medical help, patients can call the staff of this health care unit at (056) 211-1035.

Puerto Galera is a progressive town of Oriental Mindoro that plays home to several public and private medical care establishments. Puerto Galera hospitals and health care facilities are easy to access and locate. Most of these institutions are situated in downtown and near to other commercial establishments like banks and automated teller machines. To help travelers who want to spend some time at this place, below are the medical facilities that they can visit in case they get sick or they have medical emergencies.

Municipal Hospital

One of the most accessible health care facilities in Puerto Galera is the Municipal Hospital. The medical staff and physicians working at this place are accommodating so patients can easily voice out their concerns and health conditions. It provides ambulatory services to residents and tourists staying at the town. For inquiries about the other services offered at this health care institute, call any of its medical staff at (043)-287-3049.

Palm Medical Clinic

Palm Medical Clinic is another medical care establishments in Puerto Galera that people can visit if they have problems with their health. This is just a small health care unit so most of the time, patients with serious illnesses are transferred to the tertiary hospitals in nearby provinces like Batangas. To reach the health care assistants and physicians at Palm Medical Clinic, patients are advised to call (043)-442-0250.

Metropolitan Doctors Clinic

For patients who are looking for a private institution that offer laboratory services, one of the Puerto Galera hospitals and health care establishments to visit is the Metropolitan Doctors Clinic. People have nothing to worry if they get sick while having vacation at the town since the clinic is open 24 hours a day and it employs competitive medical doctors. For inquiries, local people and tourists can contact any of the administrative staff of Metropolitan Doctors Clinic at (043)-287-3156.

De los Reyes Medical Clinic

Puerto Galera has several inviting private hospitals that provide round-the-clock services. One of these establishments is the De los Reyes Medical Clinic. It employs registered medical technologies and physicians so patients are ensured to get accurate prescriptions and treatments. This establishment also provides a comfortable lobby where outpatients can stay while waiting for their attending physicians. The consultation fees at this clinic usually range from 250 pesos to 400 pesos, while the laboratory fees range from 150 pesos to 300 pesos. To ask for medical help, patients can call the doctors at De los Reyes Medical Clinic at (043)-287-3260.

Puerto Princesa is composed of one main health center, 18 barangay health stations, three hospitals, and five satellite clinics. The hospitals in the city are 175-bed capacity: 75 for the government-owned Puerto Princesa Provincial Hospital, and 50 beds for the two privately-owned facilities. The five satellite clinics has a 4 to 5-bed capacity. It serves not only the residents of the city but also patients coming from the nearby municipalities of Palawan.

Before 1991, Puerto Princesa is spending around P6.5 million for health services, representing 7.5% of total expenditures. In 1994, city spending went up to P20.1 million but it only represented 5 percent. Basic spending for health services dropped to 74 percent of overall health expenditures with the development of satellite clinics offering medical services. From 1995 – 1997, the City Health Office and satellite clinics comprised 4.4 percent of the entire city budget.

As part of Puerto Princesa hospitals and health care, the satellite clinic project has the following objectives:

1.Make medicines and medical care accessible to rural residents
2.Reduce the rate of mortality in the rural areas
3.Decrease the rate of unnecessary suffering due to illness

The first satellite clinic was established on January 12, 1993. Currently, there are five situated at strategic areas in the far-flung rural areas with no means of getting health services. They provide medical and dental consultation, health education, and emergency response and rescue. For weak patients or those who require more observation or waiting for transport will be confined in the satellite clinics for a few days.

The satellite clinics are manned by a doctor who stays for a couple of days weekly. There is a dentist that drops by every couple of weeks. Likewise, standing by are two midwives, a radio operator, driver, and utility man.

It used to be that the people in the barangays did not have access to medical services. The minimum time of travel from the nearest barangay to Puerto Princesa, where most health services are accessible, is an hour. Aside from that, there are rough roads and the frequency of transportation is two times daily. As a result, many people do not seek medical care, resort to quack medicine, or visit doctors only when their sickness has already become worse. Sadly, others die without getting treated or while waiting for transport to take them to the hospital.

Thanks to the satellite clinics, the people of the barangays were able to have access to medical treatment. They were able to get emergency care and cure for simple illness. There are ambulances ready to transfer the patients to hospitals in case of serious and complicated sickness. They provided a crucial link to the referral system of Puerto Princesa.

In conclusion, the satellite clinics were able to address the failure of Puerto Princesa hospitals and health care to provide medical attention to its residents.

Legazpi hospitals and health care is very much accessible with the presence of first class medical facilities like the Legazpi Eye Center and Aquinas University Hospital.

Legazpi Eye Center

Legazpi Eye Center started in 1994 as the private clinic of Dr. Rollo Millante, an ophthalmologist who finished his residency at the UST Hospital in 1991. Establishing an eye center was far from the mind of Dr. Milante because he was keen on pursuing a fellowship in Oculoplasty. When he ventured into general opthalmology, his ambition to be an Oculoplasty fellow burst like a bubble. He felt the need of offering opthalmic care to the people of his home province of Albay.

Construction of the new facility started in 1994 at the Imperial Court Subdivision II. Dr. Millante's practice saw a steady progress as the number of his patients increased. Eventually, Dr. Millante expanded medical service not only to those who had the money to pay but also to the indigent people of Bicol as well as surrounding regions. He then moved to a bigger and more convenient venue to accommodate his increasing number of patients. Eventually, Dr. Millante began to recruit other ophthalmologists with clinical background.

Aquinas University Hospital

The establishment of Aquinas University Hospital was a product of a long collaboration starting in the 1970s. Only a few people believed that having a non-profit hospital in Legazpi would gain the attention of the public. The founders of the hospital thought of establishing a pioneer departmentalized hospital in the region, which during that period was one of the most populated and poorest regions in the country.

In February of 1973, the doctors behind Legaspi Medical Center pooled their efforts together in order to institutionalize the small but recognizable medical facility in Albay. On July 5, 1975, Aquinas University took over management of the facility. It became the mother hospital of the school's College of Nursing. As most of the doctors who originally established the hospital could not regularly come, Dr. Enrique Salinas became the Officer-in-Charge of Aquinas University Hospital.

Ago General Hospital

The establishment of the Ago General Hospital in 1965 was designed to promote the national family planning program in a span of 5 years. It had 180 beds and incorporated family planning into the services of the general hospital. The main procedure used in the hospital is sterilization. From its 3600 patients yearly, 15% have adopted family planning.

When it comes to family planning, Ago General Hospital uses three main techniques: in-patient, out-patient, and supportive care. It works hand in hand with other medical facilities and agencies concerning their family planning program.

These are just some of the facilities that can address your need when looking for Legazpi hospitals and health care.

Overview

One of the perks of being in Manila and actually living in it is that one is always assured that good medical care is just a stone’s throw away. Manila hospitals have distinguished doctors, the latest medical equipment and are more than adequately equipped to meet any emergency.

Asian Hospital and Medical Center

The Asian Hospital and Medical Center is a fairly new health facility in the southern part of Metro Manila and it only opened last 2002. This Manila hospital has a 217 bed capacity and has in its employ over a thousand healthcare providers including outsourced staff. Asian Hospital and Medical Center is all about personal touch and its mission is to become a world class healthcare provider. It’s comforting to know that this Manila hospital is open 24 hours in case of emergencies, has outpatient services, intensive care beds, provide services for clinical nutrition, lab tests and other tertiary facilities. Being confined at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center is really not any different from staying in a hotel because of how comfortable the patient rooms are for both patients and visitors. This Manila hospital specializes in medicine, dermatology, anesthesiology, emergency medicine and dental medicine to name a few.

Three years after it first opened, Asian Hospital and Medical Center received 3 awards for being the Best Hospital, Most Outstanding Modern Hospital and Best Modern Hospital. One will be surprised and glad to know that this Manila hospital has partnered with the Departments of Tourism and Health when it comes to Medical Tourism. Many of the patients that have been confined or consulted a physician at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center agree that this is a place where happiness and healing are synonymous.

St. Luke’s Medical Center

Now St. Luke’s Medical Center is a hospital that has been around for a long time but it certainly doesn’t feel outdated and it isn’t. The most prestigious international accreditation body when it comes to healthcare has accredited this Manila hospital and this accreditation speaks a lot of in terms of meeting and exceeding international standards. St. Luke’s Medical Center uses modern technology when it comes to determining the physical and mental state of the patient and they are big on research and biotechnology. Found in the northern part of Metro Manila, St. Luke’s Medical Center is in Quezon City and they have 13 departments for primary health. The executive check up program of St. Luke’s Medical Center is commendable and they have wellness packages to help their patients prevent and cure sickness so they can lead a longer and more rewarding life. St. Luke’s Medical Center offers several packages depending on what the patient needs and rest assured at the end of it, one will feel like a new man.