Multi-million women institute inaugurated
THE multi-million Institute for Women and Newborn Health of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), located within its compound, was inaugurated on March 9.
The institute aims to address the growing health care demand of the public for maternity care and offers services for all women and babies not just in the city but the southern part of the country as well.
SPMC Medical Center Chief Leopoldo Vega said the construction of the five-storey building was made possible through the Department of Health (DOH) General Appropriation Act (GAA) of 2017. It only took a year to complete the facility as the construction began last January 2017 and finished February this year.
The construction cost of the building is pegged at P128 million.
“Today marks a major milestone in the development of Southern Philip- pines Medical Center. Today, we all celebrate to inaugurate three major facilities in bringing efficient, quality healthcare for all. The first facility is the institute for women and newborn,” Vega said in his speech.
The center has a 200bed capacity and is a one-stop shop for women medical conditions and newborn health. Vega said that it is a standalone facility as it has its own emergency room and emergency operating suite, labor and delivery rooms, three operating suites capable of handling major surgeries and minimally invasive procedures.
It also houses gynecological wards, high risk pregnancy wards and gynecological cancer ward for patients. It has 23 private rooms with three breaking suites, diagnostic laboratory, concrete complement of administrative support section and a patient assistance desk office.
The building also includes family planning, women and child protection unit and the teen center.
He also bared that the Office of the President, through its Social Fund from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, has given the SPMC P184-million budget for its medical and non-medical needs.
“Thank you President Duterte and Pagcor for your social assistance. We are truly honored and grateful,” Vega said.
Meanwhile, Davao City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag considers this as a big help for the medical needs of the public since its its facilities are already at par with other private hospitals.
“Ako nalipay kaayo ko nga with this short time, one year lang ing-ani na ang gihatag sa atong national government through our president, Rodrigo Duterte. Isa ni ka ebedensya na ang kasingkasing sa atong president naa gyud sa pobre because he wants to improve public hospitals,” he said.