CEBU CITY — Only one COVID-19 patient remained admitted at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) as of Saturday, May 28, according to the Department of Health.
The facility has 43 COVID-dedicated beds and during the peak of the cases last year, the beds were fully occupied.
Its 25 mechanical ventilators for COVID-19 are also unused as of Saturday.
As the facility eases occupancy in COVID-19 patients, the century-old façade of the main building of the VSMMC has been renovated with a modernized look.
In an unveiling and light up ceremony last May 27, VSMMC hospital director, Dr. Gerardo Aquino, said the change in the look of the hospital is not only about aesthetics but a signal of more upgrades in the health facility that caters not just Cebu but the entire Visayas regions as well.
In fact, Aquino said the hospital beds at the VSMMC have been increased from 1,200 to 1,500. This will also mean that its existing professional health care services and facilities are upgraded to commensurate the increase in its bed capacity.
“The words smack in the middle of the main building emblazoned our promise and commitment: Kalidad nga serbisyo, among garbo (Quality service is our pride),” Aquino said.
“This serves as a yardstick by which our patients can gauge us with a reminder for all Sottonians to deliver quality service every single time, all the time,” he added.
The number of personnel to cater to the needs of more patients will also be increased.
“The passage of this legislation not only is aligned with the medical center’s vision and direction but is a huge boost for the VSMMC’s workforce with VSMMC bound to become one of the largest medical centers in the country,” Dr. Aquino said.
President Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11717 last April 29, covering the upgrading of the VSMMC bed capacity and its facilities.
The VSMMC is the biggest government hospital in the Visayas. It is among the hospitals where COVID-19 patients were brought during the early days of the pandemic.
The VSMMC was also the first to have its own laboratory for COVID-19 testing outside of Metro Manila via its Sub-National Laboratory facility.
The main building façade was constructed in 1911 and has been the face of the institution for over a century when it was named as Hospital del Sur and later on became Southern Islands Hospital and eventually renamed as Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
The main building is now transformed into a modern look with bright lights. Within the compound are several ongoing building construction sites as part of the facility upgrades.
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