GMA inaugurates Pasig hospital annex building

President Arroyo inaugurated yesterday the newly completed six-story Pasig City General Hospital (PCGH) annex building that will more than double the hospital’s bed capacity, and greatly enhance the local government unit’s delivery of health services to its constituents.

Less than a year ago in December 2004, the PCGH was established as a secondary 100-bed capacity hospital. With the completion of the new annex building, the hospital’s bed capacity will increase to 207 while its classification will be upgraded to tertiary training and teaching hospital.

The facility is operated and funded entirely by the Pasig government.

"I congratulate Pasigueños and the local government officials of Pasig City, led by Mayor Enteng Eusebio for this beautiful hospital. You are lucky indeed. With this facility, you are assured of first-rate health services, especially the poor," she said.

The President was assisted by the mayor and his wife Soledad in cutting the ceremonial ribbon marking the formal opening of the annex building.

Also present were Vice Mayor Rosalio Martirez and members of the city council.

For his part, Eusebio expressed his gratitude to the President on behalf of his constituents for gracing the occasion and for her concern not only for his administration but also for the less-privileged and indigent residents of Pasig City.

He also assured the President of his unwavering support for her leadership and her 10-point legacy agenda.

The new building will house the upgraded labor and delivery room complex, physical and occupational therapy center, neo-natal intensive care unit (ICU), babies’ nursery, patients’ ward, out-patient department (OPD), rehab medicine, laboratory, dental services, dietary and an audio visual room.

Last year, the hospital serviced an estimated 60,000 patients, 47,000 of whom were out-patients.

The PCGH is a recipient of various awards and commendations from various bodies, the most recent of which is the "Most Outstanding Healthy Hospital in 2004" from the Department of Health (DOH).

Under the stewardship of Eusebio, Pasig City has achieved a 10-fold increase in its real property tax collections from a mere P120 million in 1992 to P1.222 billion last year.

Also last year, Pasig’s overall tax collection reached P2.937 billion while the LGU’s bank deposits hit P2.937 billion, the second largest among LGUs throughout the country.