Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) has inaugurated on July 15 its Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Institute, the first orthopedic institute outside Manila.
Gracing the inauguration, highlighted by the unveiling of marker, were Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Department of Health Undersecretary Roger Tong-an.
“Our bottom line really here is not the income that we earn at the end of the day but rather on the social obligation that we are able to meet for the poor and indigent Filipinos who need quality health services,” SPMC Medical Center Chief II Dr. Leopoldo Vega said.
The new facility guarantees better access for specialised services for Visayas and Mindanao patients.
During the inauguration rites, Vega said the facility also covers rehabilitation of orthopedic patients.
“We wanted to come up with breakthrough results that will impact healthcare for the Mindanaons,” Vega said.
The center also provide services for congenital deformities, specialised services for oncology cases in orthopedics and as well as spine cases. Also, specialised regional anesthesia services will be provided by the institute.
“Construction for the facility began in January 12, 2018 and was completed in June 2019,” Chief Training Officer Ma. Elinore Alba-Concha said during a recent ocular visit.
The 200-bed facility, according to Concha, has its own emergency room, two X-Ray rooms, operating rooms inside the emergency room and an outpatient room for consultations for the different specialties in the orthopedics. “Whether it be general, spine, hand or cancer ortho, we have them here,” Concha added.
At present, there are more than 30 doctors excluding consultants catering to an average volume of 80-100 patients.
The facility also has dedicated wards for the patient’s needs.
Vega added that it also has operating rooms on top of the first floor to give access to more elective surgeries.
“At the top of this institute is a helipad tried and tested by the Philippine Air Force, making it easier to transport patients,” Vega said.
The project is worth P181 million sourced through the General Appropriations Act of 2016 worth P50M, P16M from hospital income and P151M from the Department of Health-Health Facilities Enhancement Program (DOH-HEEP) contingent fund endorsed by the Office of the President.
