Metro at Cinco: Healthier families just get better

 “Metro at Cinco: Healthier families just get better”

Sun.Star Davao, Oct. 7, 2017

Finding out that there is no available room when your loved one needs to be urgently confined in a hospital is an absolute nightmare for any parent.

In 2010, Davao City was hit by a dengue epidemic which caused a serious shortage of hospital beds. I’ve personally known of some families who let their kids stay in their homes monitored by a doctor or nurse as hospitals could no longer accommodate them during that crucial period.

It was also around this time that a group of health professionals and investors saw the need to meet Davao’s growing demands in quality health care. Thus, in 2012, the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center, Inc. (MDMRCI) or more popularly known in Davao City as Metro Hospital, opened its outpatient clinic and services to the public. These included the Laboratory, Diagnostic Radiology Imaging Center, Cardiovascular and Neurology Unit, and Pharmacy.

In 2013, Metro began operating its eight-story modern hospital. It offered a comprehensive range of medical and paramedical services aside from being a clinical research center. 

Family-friendly hospital

Five years later, Metro has become one of Davao’s most reliable family-friendly hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and the home of competent doctors and staff, not to mention its accessible location and convenient parking area.

The 135-bed Metro Hospital is Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Phil Health) accredited, and boasts of “bigger rooms and wider beds”, plus its no surcharge and no holiday rates advantage.

Metro Hospital has a naturally-ventilated building which is very welcome news for patients and hospital visitors (especially the elderly and children) as good ventilation and adequate sunlight lessens the risk of infection. In addition, special units are maintained by positive and negative air pressure ventilation.

Advocating healthy lifestyle

“Metro Hospital refers to its outpatient building as “Health Science and Wellness Center,” mainly because they want the hospital and medical center to be an advocate of healthy living, apart from providing treatment to the sick”, says Metro Hospital Chief of Clinics Dr. Jett Lu.

MDMRC Hospital Chief of Clinics, Dr. Jett Lu 

“What makes the facility different from others is that it provides proper guidance to people to help them attain a healthy lifestyle. The center prides itself with doctors specializing in aesthetic and anti-aging medicine, hair and scalp diseases–hair transplant and restoration, gynecologic oncology, sleep medicine, hematology, and other specialties of different clinical departments”, he elaborates.

“There is a total of 109 clinics covering majority of the subspecialties.  Included in this center are a spa, diabetes center, weight management, hearing center, reading, occupational and developmental therapy, dialysis center, and rehabilitation center”, adds Dr. Lu.

Health care with a heart

Committed to provide excellent healthcare services to its patients, the dedicated people behind Metro Hospital proudly assure that they offer “Health Care with a Heart”.

“The Diabetes Ambulatory Care and Wellness Center does not just give treatment to people with diabetes. They also have counseling to the families and relatives of the patient for them to fully understand the situation and bearings of the patient”, details Dr. Lu.  

In addition, Metro Hospital’s Cancer Center is one of the hospital’s premier centers. “We know cancer treatment is expensive.  A day-stay at the Cancer Center is thus provided in Metro, where patients need not be admitted to undergo chemotherapy, transfusions and infusions”, cites Dr. Lu. 

“Highly skilled and compassionate staff man each cubicle of the unit to provide all the special needs of cancer patients from diagnostic, therapeutic, counseling and support as we win them back to health in a sterile and friendly environment.  All our adult and pediatric oncologists, hematologists and immunologists have been trained overseas”, Dr. Lu shares.

Metro at Cinco

Metro Hospital recently commemorated its 5^th year anniversary celebration with the theme, “Metro @ Cinco, High Five! Healthier Families Just Got Better”, at the Davao Convention and Trade Center.

The affair was an unforgettable gathering of Metro Hospital’s doctors, medical staff, and personnel to celebrate the institution’s continued success for the past five years. Doctors Lara Torno, Jessie Orcasitas, and Mae Gallardo acted as the evening’s engaging hosts.

The evening’s hosts: (L-R) Dr. Lara Torno, Dr. Jessie Orcasitas, Dr. Mae Gallardo

Mrs. Lelen Valderrama, Assistant Hospital Administrator (Second from left) 

enjoys the photo booth with the hospital staff.

(L-R) Quality Control Head Althea Robins-Lorenzo; Chief Nurse Deborah Juliet Omran; HR Director Jill Dailisan; Infection Control Nurse Monica Ysulat; Nursing Service Training Officer Sheila Mae Pacalda

(L to R) Dr. Cookie Bolcan, Dr. Maya Taojo, Dr. Honey Abarquez (standing), Dr. Chanille Go-Herrera, 

Dr. Mae Gallardo, Dr. Sherria Ann Lu, Dr. Rommel Bernardo

Instead of inviting a high-profile personality to deliver the Guest Speaker address, Alex Bacus, one of the hospital’s first security employees was bestowed this prestigious honor. Another pioneering ER nurse, Zyril John Navaja, extended his well wishes to the crowd.

A break from tradition, one of the hospital’s first security employees Mr. Alex Bacus 

gives his address as the Guest Speaker.

Mr. Zyril John Navaja, Pioneering ER Nurse gives his well wishes for the crowd.

Medical Director Dr. Yvette Yenco-Tan and Hospital Administrator Dr. Linell Malimbag likewise delivered their respective messages during the joyful occasion.

A message from the Medical Director, Dr. Yvette Yenco-Tan

Hospital Administrator Dr. Linell Malimbag delivers her inspiring anniversary message

 and shares her big plans for the institution.

The hospital’s “Topnotcher Physicians” were given special recognition and cash gifts by Metro Hospital Board of Director Geoffrey Yenco as well.

Ob-Gyne Department Topnotchers receive the traditional “Ang Pao”; (L-R) Dr. Jessie Orcasitas, 

Dr. Maya Taojo, Dr. Ailyne Gerona, Board of Director Geoffrey Yenco

A big high five to Metro Hospital for giving Dabawenyo families quality health care for the past five years!

We share photos of this happy milestone by Ariel Yanong of Blank Pixels.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.