Malabuyoc hospital upgrade underway

CEBU, Philippines — Residents of southern Cebu may soon gain access to expanded healthcare services after the Cebu provincial government and the Municipality of Malabuyoc signed a Deed of Usufruct that paves the way for the upgrading of the Mariano Jesus Cuenco Memorial Hospital into a Level 1 hospital.

The agreement, signed on June 15, addresses one of the key requirements for the hospital’s conversion from an infirmary into a higher-level healthcare facility capable of offering more medical services.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the signing ceremony together with Malabuyoc Mayor Erlinda Piedad.

This is part of the provincial government's efforts to improve public healthcare, particularly in the southwestern towns of Cebu.

Baricuatro said the usufruct agreement is necessary for the province to proceed with the planned upgrade.

“One of the requirements for it to be Level 1 nga dapat it should have a usufruct agreement with the province,” the governor said during a press conference.

She added that expanding Level 1 hospitals in different parts of Cebu remains one of the Capitol’s priorities to improve access to healthcare services outside major urban centers.

“That's really the goal. Other parts of the province ba need jud og Level 1 hospital kay pwede na sila makahimog minor surgery,” Baricuatro said.

The governor noted that the facility already possesses some of the equipment needed for expanded medical services.

“In fact naa na silay anesthesia machines didto,” she said.

Under the agreement, the provincial government is granted the right to use, develop, and manage the hospital property while ownership of the land remains with the municipal government of Malabuyoc.

The arrangement clears a major administrative requirement needed for the facility's transition from an infirmary into a fully licensed Level 1 general hospital.

At present, the Mariano Jesus Cuenco Memorial Hospital primarily offers emergency care, outpatient consultations, and maternity services.

Once upgraded, the hospital is expected to provide a wide range of healthcare services, including surgical procedures, secondary clinical laboratory services, and blood station facilities.

According to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) classification, a Level 1 hospital may have isolation facilities, maternity services, dental clinics, first-level X-ray services, secondary clinical laboratories with a consulting pathologist, blood stations, and a pharmacy.

Guidelines from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) also require Level 1 hospitals to maintain qualified medical and administrative personnel, authorized bed capacity, operating rooms, post-operative recovery rooms, maternity facilities, and isolation units.

The standards likewise require the presence of a blood station, a Department of Health (DOH)-licensed secondary clinical laboratory, Level 1 imaging facility, and a licensed pharmacy.

During her visit, Baricuatro assured hospital personnel of the Capitol’s commitment to support healthcare initiatives in the municipality.

“Naa ko diri to see unsa akong matabang dinhi ug kumusta inyong kahimtang diri. Dili ma-ratol, dili ma-panic kay bag-o na ang liderato sa Kapitolyo. Whenever you see me, always remember that. I’m here to serve and help, dili para mangasaba ninyo,” she told hospital staff.

For her part, Piedad welcomed the development, saying the planned upgrade would benefit not only Malabuyoc but also neighboring towns in the southern part of Cebu.

“Kami, Gov, dako kaayo namong garbo nga ma-prioritize nato ang health. Dili lang sa lungsod sa Malabuyoc, apan apil usab ang among mga silingang lungsod,” the mayor said.

Joining the signing ceremony were Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Sheila Faciol, and Provincial Engineer Hector Jamora. — (FREEMAN)