The Bicol Medical Center's (BMC) current journey fittingly aligns with the wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States, who stated that the future is shaped by those who have faith in the beauty of their dreams.

Overtime, this dream has slowly transformed the old, infamous hospital into a highly-reputable institution, now catering not only to Bicolanos but also patients from the adjacent regions, as well.

BMC is now positioning itself as a Level III authorized 1,800-bed capacity hospital from its 1,000 bed occupancy in 2022 with specialty centers in Renal care and kidney transplant, Cancer, Neonatal, mental health/Psychiatry, ENT, Geriatric, Trauma and Burns, Infectious Disease Tropical Medicine, EREID, Eye Care, Physical Rehabilitation Medicine, Orthopedic, Lung care and Brain and Spine serving the region.

BMC Medical Center Chief II Dr. Ronnie Gregorio B. Gigantone III conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to his dynamic team, to all the stakeholders and to his predecessor. He acknowledged the inspiration he received from his predecessors to carry forward what they have started.

“It is the hospital’s vision to become a patient-centered, highly specialized, tertiary Medical Center in the Bicol region. We have made rounds of inspection and grounds of every section and nook that we have in the hospital, and we’ve made quite an impression--and I would like to thank the health care workers, these 2,200+ plantilla items and 500 JOs, from the bottom of my heart, I thank  you.  This is not only my work, but the work of each and every one of us. From top to the lowest- rank employee here. Actually, there is no lowest rank employee here, pantay-pantay po tayong lahat,” Gigantone said during the ground-breaking, hand over and inauguration ceremonies of additional buildings inside the BMC on Thursday, Aug.17. 

BMC sets sights on more specialty centers 

Just recently, Dr. Gigantone spearheaded the ground-breaking of a 9-storey Cancer institute.

“Today, we are gathered to celebrate the beginning of a project that will revolutionize cancer care in the Bicol Region. Today we stand in the cast of a transformative journey; a journey towards providing a world-class cancer- care for our community. The construction of this building signifies the importance of combating cancer and enhancing health care services in the region,” the medical chief stated.

He added that the “state-of-the-art facility will serve as a beacon of hope for cancer patients and their families. It will bring together the  cutting-edge technology,  high-risk health professionals and a compassionate environment in one roof."

"The proposed building will include multi-disciplinary clinics, additional cancer diagnostics and treatment modalities oncology ward, rehabilitation and pain management and a halfway house, hopefully a research facility and admin building of BMC," Gigantone stated. 

On the same day, Department of Health (DOH) -Health Facilities Enhancement Program Management Office Assistant Secretary Leonita Gorgolon, witnesed the hand-over of a Waste Management Machine and 5-bed isolation rooms. 

Asec Gorgolon was invited as keynote speaker during the momentous occasion. 

"Aside from your 8-storey building, aside from the CT scan that we have witnessed, the Waste Treatment facility that we have also seen -- this is the second among the 15 accross the country by the ADB. Pangalawa pa lang ito, the first one that we installed was in Ormoc, an LGU facility, so this is the first," Gorgolon stated. 

Gigantone appreciated Sec Gorgolon's presence in thee event and expressed that her presence is a testament of her committment and unwavering support to the hospital's programs. 

"We are grateful for your presence.  Today, we stand in the path of a transfrmative journey. A journey towards providing world-class cancer care for our community," the medical chief said.  

Asec Gorgolon exhibited the same enthusiasm as she walked alongside with BMC's personnel in visiting the facilities. 

"I would like to emphasize that the three (3) hours walk, we started at 9:00 AM and we finished at 12:00 noon, showed us the wonderful transformation of Bicol Medical Center . Congratulations everyone!  I would like to say, this is now one of the best medical center in the country," the DOH official said. 

The day also marked the formal opening of the surgery ward and trauma and burn center situated at the hospital’s 7th floor,  the inauguration of the new BMC lobby, 128-Slice CT scan facility, the Integrated Management Information System section Data Center, Poison control center, Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine, and a dedicated  space for a lactation room in the workplace.

In the afternoon, the Psychiatry Female Ward at the BMC Department of Psychiatry, formerly Don Susano J. Rodriguez Memorial Mental Hospital in Cadlan, Pili, Camarines was also formally inaugurated.

In pursuit of its vision of becoming a patient-centered hospital and one of the best medical facilities in the country, BMC will continue to provide specialized care that addresses the health needs of the community, empower primary healthcare providers, and improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery to its patients through an integrated management information system. (With report from JMadrid-PIA 5/Camarines Sur)