The Borja Family Hospital Corportion (BFHC) in Tagbilaran City in Bohol province officially announced to the public its closure after serving the community for 42 years. (Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas)
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — A popular family hospital in this city has ceased operations after more than four decades of service.
The Borja Family Hospital Corporation (BFHC) stopped operating on Dec. 17, although some clinics were given days to vacate the facility.
Dr. Maria Melinda Borja-Chiong, BFHC medical director, said they closed the hospital after operating for 42 years because of “operational and financial difficulties aggravated by intra-corporate disputes and anomalies perpetuated by unscrupulous employees.”
She did not elaborate.
In her letter to Lilia Estillore, officer-in-charge of the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas, Borja-Chiong said the hospital could no longer comply with the requirements to renew its license starting January 2023.
The hospital management has informed the Department of Health (DOH) of its decision to cease operation.
Borja-Chiong said the hospital admitted an average of only two to four patients daily in 2022.
This affected at least 160 employees of the hospital, she said.
Borja-Chiong assured their employees that the management would take care of all wages and benefits.
Dr. Jaime Bernadas, DOH-Central Visayas director, has allowed the hospital to close down and offered to help if the management decides to resume operations.
A 62-year-old Boholana, who requested anonymity, was sad when she learned last Saturday that the hospital, which had been her refuge whenever she got sick, had closed down.
“It’s sad that Borja is gone, especially that the hospital has been a landmark in Bohol province. It is synonymous to health care,” said the woman, who has asthma and high blood pressure.
It was in August 1980 when spouses Jose and Melinda Borja, both physicians, founded the BFHC.
Jose became the hospital administrator, while Melinda served as medical director.
When it started operating, BFHC had 23 beds with 19 staff members.
Years later, the BFHC increased their number of beds to 40 with at last 160 personnel.