Philippines is one of the beautiful countries in southeast Asia that have rich heritage, culture and history. With the aim of improving the lifestyle and addressing the medical problems and concerns of citizens, expats and tourists, the national government establishes and opens numerous outstanding as well as world-class health care establishments and facilities. Below are some of the topnotch Philippines hospitals and health care institutions that offer high quality medical services to everyone.

Philippine General Hospital

Situated along Taft Avenue at Ermita in Manila City, the Philippine General Hospital is considered as the top performing public medical care institution in the country. As an outstanding governmental institution, this hospital ensures patients of outstanding medical services. The costs of consultations and treatments at this establishment are not as high as the medical costs at private Philippines hospitals and health care institutions. Since the University of the Philippines owns this establishment, it provides opportunities to the medical students enrolled at the school to master their skills and knowledge on medicine by becoming interns at the hospital. To seek immediate medical response, patients can alwas call the staff at this medical establishment at (02)-521-8450.

Makati Medical Center

Another topnotch tertiary health care facility in the Philippines is Makati Medical Center. Located in Makati City, one of the most industrialized cities of the country, this medical establishment assures patients to receive immediate medical attention from outstanding physicians and health care professionals. With 717 beds, the medical center provides sufficient rooms and wards to patients who need serious medical treatments. The medical staff and physicians working at this health care facility specialize in various fields such as General Medicine, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine and Dentistry. To set appointments with the medical doctors at this establishment, individuals can talk to any of the staff by calling (02)-888-8999.

Asian Hospital and Medical Center

One of the tertiary health care establishments in the Philippines that use advance medical equipment and devices is Asian Hospital and Medical Center, which is situated at Alabang in Muntinlupa City. This medical institute specializes in different fields including Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Oncology and Pulmonology. Aside from these, patients can also seek assistance from physicians who excel in Rheumatology, Gastroentology, Family Medicine, Endocrinology as well as Immunology. For the comfort of admitted patients, the establishment has air-conditioned and clean private rooms. To seek assistance from any of the medical experts working at this health care facility, patients can set appointments by calling (02)-771-9000 to (02)-771-9002.

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.