P449-million heart and lung center opens at WVMC

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Patients in Western Visayas now have access to specialized cardiovascular and pulmonary care with the opening of the new Heart and Lung building at Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Iloilo City.

Inaugurated on April 26, 2024, in Mandurriao district, the ceremony was led by Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne Baronda and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito.

The facility aims to match the service quality of the Philippine Heart Center in Manila.

The WVMC Heart and Lung Building provides a comprehensive array of cardiovascular services, including diagnostics, interventional cardiology, and cardiothoracic surgery. It also offers extensive pulmonary care, featuring advanced imaging, bronchoscopy, and various treatment options.

“Consolidating heart and lung subspecialty services enhances patient care and elevates the standard of cardiovascular and pulmonary treatment,” said Dr. Mae Dagooc, head of the heart center.

This approach is designed to improve health outcomes and ease the burden on patients and their families.

From 2021 to 2023, the hospital served 3,878 inpatients, performed 310 cardiovascular surgeries, and conducted 1,462 cardiac catheterization procedures.

Dr. Joseph Dean L. Nicolo, Medical Center Chief, highlighted the center’s regional appeal due to its affordability and coverage by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, which offers a more cost-effective alternative to private healthcare.

The establishment of the Heart and Lung building is a key development in improving regional healthcare facilities, spearheaded by Rep. Baronda, the principal author of RA 11496.

She played a crucial role in advancing the project, motivated by the need to enhance medical services after observing the conditions at WVMC.

Baronda acknowledged the support of Ejercito, who was instrumental in securing funding for the center during his tenure as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health in 2018.

The initiative is part of a broader national effort to improve public healthcare, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to establishing specialty hospitals. In line with this, the hospital also commenced construction of a six-story cancer care center, supported by PHP300 million from the Department of Health’s Health Facility Enhancement Program.

This development aims to decentralize specialty medical services, reducing the need for patients to travel to Manila and enhancing the accessibility of quality healthcare.