September 7, 2022 — The Philippine General Hospital scored its highest patient satisfaction rating of 99.5% according to its Director Dr. Gerardo ‘Gap’ Legaspi when he presented the hospital’s accomplishments for 2021 during his seventh State of PGH Address (SOPAs) on August 19.
“Ang pinakamalaking parangal po para sa ating ginagawa ay ang highest satisfaction survey rating natin. . . at ito po ay dahil sa inyong lahat.”
The rating was from a survey conducted in the third quarter of last year. He also took pride in the hospital’s publications which increased almost ten-fold, from 8% in 2016 to 70% in 2021. The number of researches conducted and published in PGH contributes to the university’s rating in the international research scene.
Transformative healthcare
PGH has also tripled its spending per patient from an average of ₱23,000 in 2016, to ₱70,000 in 2021. “Kung natatandaan ninyo, bumibili sila ng gamot, bakal, implants, at pati bulak [sa labas], pero ngayon po, inililibre natin lahat sa kanila, as much as we can.”
[Our patients used to purchase their own medicine and supplies out of their own pocket. Now, as much as we can, we’re providing it for them for free.]
The attention that PGH received during the onset of the pandemic paved the way for several donations and funds given by private organizations and the government. Parts of these were used to gather new equipment and provide high-end services that only a few private hospitals in the Philippines, and even in Southeast Asia, have to offer.
Recognizing that the employees are the most important resource of the hospital, an additional ₱30M was allocated for employees’ professional development. In partnership with the Asian Institute of Management, 28 staff composed of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and administrators underwent a six-month certificate course to study methods and use special skills to improve the processes in PGH.
Director Gap also assured the employees that the free shuttle program will continue throughout the duration of his term. “Ang transport program ang isa sa nagbibigay ng panatag na loob sa ating mga kasama sa PGH. Pinapangako ko pong hindi ito mawawala habang ako po ay direktor ng ospital.”
Infrastructure
All those with COVID 19 and in need of intensive care, young or old, are housed in the Bayanihan Na! Infectious Isolation Unit. The renovated emergency room was matched with 5 fully-equipped ambulances, 3 of which have advanced equipment being used by the Emergency Medical Team to service patients in and out of the hospital. “Dati po ang hinihingi ng pasyente natin ay gamot. Ngayon po, kapag umiikot po kami sa [ER], ang hinihingi nila ay blanket dahil napakalamig.”
[When we go around the ER, our patients usually ask for medicine. Now, they ask for a blanket because the new ER is very cold.”]
Dr. Gap reported that during the initial upgrading of the water line, the hospital saved ₱2M from its monthly water bill. “Ang ating bayad sa tubig bawat buwan ay ₱12M. Nadiskubre po na may mga butas na ang mga lumang tubo at isinara nila ito. Sa nakaraang buwan po ang binayad lang natin ay ₱10M.”
When the main water line will be fully upgraded, the estimated water bill will be less than ₱5M per month. “Magagamit natin ang savings na ito sa ibang pamamaraan,” Dr. Gap stated.
UP-PGH Healthcare System
Bigger things are planned for PGH. With the PGH Polyclinic in Clark, Pampanga and two new upcoming projects, PGH Diliman and Cancer Center; the UP-PGH Healthcare System will be established which will link the PGH to these facilities including the Health Service of UP Diliman and UP Los Baños.
Currently, the PGH helps manage the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital and is also tasked to supervise the Davao City Public Hospital which will be partnered with UP Mindanao.
“Para sa akin, wala nang [mas] hihigit na pasasalamat kung hindi ang pagsasaad ng resulta ng inyong paghihirap sa PGH ng mga nakaraang taon,” Dr. Gap said.
(For me, there is no [greater] expression of gratitude than to share with you the results of our hard work and sacrifices these past years in PGH.)
For his final note, Dr. Gap tells the government that the Philippines needs a hospital that can compare with international standards. “Kailangan ng Pilipinas ng isang ospital na kikilalanin sa international scene,” Dr. Legaspi said. “At wala pong ibang makakagawa noon kung hindi ang Philippine General Hospital dala ng ating pagsasama sa UP System.”
Watch the full report here.
Anne Marie Alto
