Sta. Cruz, Manila
May 4, 2022
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the inauguration of the new Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (DJFMH) at the San Lazaro Compound in Sta. Cruz, City of Manila.
The President, together with Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III and DJFMH Medical Center Chief II Dr. Esmeraldo Ilem, unveiled the project marker that symbolizes the completion of the project — an 800-bed capacity building ready to initially provide out-patient services, including but not limited to, molecular laboratory, X-ray, mammography, blood donation services and consultations. It is also expected to provide more services such as MRI, CT-scan, dialysis, minimally invasive surgery and a number of laboratory tests in the future.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank the Department of Health and the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital management and staff for their efforts to construct a new and improved hospital,” President Duterte expressed in his speech.
He reminded the government health care workers “to see to it that the welfare of the people under whose care we are given to just you know — intindihin mo lang ang Pilipino at ‘yung response should really be kung ano lang ang tama . . . Just do what is right. Period.”
The Chief Executive also commended the health care workers for helping the government in its fight against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). He further said, “I encourage our health care workers to remain steadfast in your noble task of promoting our people’s health and saving lives. Your efforts, especially in the past two years, have truly been heroic — for this, you have the full support and the eternal gratitude of the Filipino people.”
From its previous location in Lope de Vega Street along Sta. Cruz in the City of Manila, the 102-year old Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital catering to maternal, neonatal and child health services to the public is now transferred to the San Lazaro Compound adjacent to the DOH Building and is now ready to additionally serve as the Apex Center in Reproductive Health in the Healthcare Providers Network (HCPN) by virtue of the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act No. 11223).
Moreover, the hospital will open a Maternal–Fetal Intensive Care Unit (MFICU) to maximize growth of the fetus in-utero and minimize NICU admissions, and bring forth better newborn survival. The Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital is also a proponent of human milk banking and comprehensive family planning services.
Its School of Midwifery, which is celebrating its 100th founding anniversary this year, is starting its face-to-face classes in the new building together with its other training programs. President Duterte, accompanied by Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go and other key officials, also inspected the Malasakit Center situated inside the hospital.
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