VisMed targets to complete renovations in three years

CEBU, Philippines —  The Visayas Medical (VisMed), formerly Visayas Community Medical Center (VCMC), is set to complete its close P1 billion modernization program in the next two to three years.

This would usher in another word class healthcare facility in Cebu, while facing a lingering health crisis, said VisMed chief executive officer (CEO) Jun Amistoso during the hospital’s 69th year celebration held Tuesday.

The hospital’s massive modernization program, which includes the acquisition of the latest and state-of-the-art machines and medical equipment, new buildings, and expanded room capacity, among others followed after the company partnered with AppleOne Medical Group (AMG) last year.

Apart from full renovations, and expansion of patient rooms and doctors clinics, other upcoming key developments include the hemodialysis unit, heart and vascular institute, cardiac catheterization lab, sleep lab, hearing unit, and birthing unit.

A modern rehab, OPD (out-patient-department) diagnostic and laboratories, and OPD pharmacies will also be built.

According to VisMed Infection Control chairman Dr. Bryan Lim all facilities and equipment in the new renovated VisMed are pandemic ready, not just for the current pandemic, but for similar health crises in the future.

The VisMed renovation program has two phases. The first phase would improve the facilities, efficiencies and services, as well as number of beds, while the second phase involves the building of hospital tower, doctors’ clinic and other complementary services.

Founded by American Missionaries of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in 1952, AMG has also acquired VisMed’s sister hospitals the United Shalom Medical Center (USMC) in Tacloban City  (formerly Bethany Hospital), and the Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries Inc. (BIHMI) in Davao City.

With AMG now at the forefront of management and development, the hospital chain will shell out at least P2 billion to renovate and modernize the three hospital facilities.

“We are modernizing VCMC to be in the same ranks with pioneering hospitals here in the country and abroad,” assured AppleOne Properties, Inc. president and CEO Ray Go Manigsaca.

UCCP chairman Keith Cabral also committed to sustain and even heighten the church’s promise of providing healthcare services not just for recovery of illnesses, but more importantly a holistic healing experience.