By CESAR JOLITO III
The Department of Health (DOH) is preparing for further infrastructure expansion at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City, buoyed by the recent reopening of its newly renovated Emergency Department worth P92 million.
DOH Undersecretary Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral said plans are underway to expand the hospital’s emergency services in response to the increasing number of patients seeking treatment at the region’s primary government hospital.
However, she stressed that the proposed expansion of the emergency room will depend on the completion of ongoing upgrades at the hospital’s Mother and Child Unit (MCU).
“We cannot expand the emergency room [ER] unless the Mother and Child Unit has been improved,” Maestral said, noting that the unit is currently undergoing renovation to decongest critical hospital areas and improve overall patient flow.
The DOH has already released P65 million for the MCU renovation, with bidding for the project now in progress.
Once completed, the expansion is expected to add 160 additional beds, significantly boosting CLMMRH’s capacity to serve patients from Bacolod City and neighboring provinces.
Maestral said construction is expected to begin as soon as procurement processes are finalized.
She also disclosed that additional hospital facilities are lined up for upgrading, including the MCU facing Burgos Street and the hospital’s West Tower.
“The MCU facing Burgos is also up for renovation, as is the West Tower. We have already applied for the renovation of the tower with the Department of Budget and Management,” she added.
Meanwhile, the DOH official lauded the early completion of the Emergency Department renovation, which was finished ahead of schedule.
“We planned to finish the ER renovation in four months, but we were able to complete it in three and a half months,” Maestral said, attributing the timely completion to efficient coordination and management.
She also commended the CLMMRH administration for maintaining the hospital’s facilities and ensuring continued operations despite heavy patient demand, describing the improvements as crucial steps toward strengthening public healthcare services in Western Visayas./CJ, WDJ