Tuesday, July 7, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES [ BusinessWorld Online ]
DAVAO CITY — Rising room occupancy rates have prompted the Davao Doctors Hospital to craft a 10-year expansion plan.
The Davao City hospital’s occupancy rates have exceeded 80%.
Andres M. Licaros, Jr., hospital president and chief executive officer, said a reassessment of the hospital’s operation has become a priority following the entry of Metro Pacific Investment Corp., which now holds a 34% stake.
In previous years, Davao Doctors Hospital’s room occupancy did not go beyond 80%. Officials said they would discuss investment requirements for the expansion as soon as the expansion plan is completed.
"I honestly did not expect that our occupancy will be this high this early," said Mr. Licaros in a statement.
Growth in occupancy has become a major challenge for the 40-year-old hospital, he said. Room turnover, Mr. Licaros explained, has been a major issue for management considering that some patients had insisted on getting admitted even after being informed that they could not be accommodated.
Davao Doctors is considering building an "apartelle" since about 45% of those who frequent the hospital are from out of town, with relatives of patients often insisting on staying in hospital rooms.
A team of architects led by Prosperidad C. Luis, a known hospital master planner, will help management formulate plans to achieve its goal of accommodating more patients as well as offering the best services for its market.
At the end of the month, the hospital will have its linear accelerator, a P100-million equipment bought from England. The equipment is for general purpose radiation, modified for radio surgery or intensified modulation radiation therapy, a cancer treatment. Another new acquisition is a digital mammogram used to detect breast cancer.
A 200-car parking area, worth P70 million, is expected to be finished within the third quarter, Mr. Licaros said. Davao Doctors is located at the heart of the city’s central business district, where parking space has been a problem.
The hospital is also reaching out to the public on illness prevention. Dr. Dominador O. Cabrera, hospital vice-president for medical affairs, said: "It is sad that when they (patients) come to the hospital, they are already terminally ill," Mr. Cabrera said. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
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