TACLOBAN: The Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) has announced plans to increase its bed capacity to 1,500 by 2028, nearly tripling its current size. The expansion is aimed at alleviating congestion, with the hospital currently experiencing an occupancy rate of 117 percent, according to its chief, Joseph Michael Jaro.
According to Philippines News Agency, Jaro stated during a press briefing that the expansion is part of a broader effort to improve hospital infrastructure and services. The project is supported by the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, and is mandated under Republic Act 11567, enacted in 2021. The hospital, located in Cabalawan village, currently has 629 beds but accommodates up to 800 patients, leading to significant overcrowding.
Jaro highlighted the issue of cases being referred to EVMC that could be managed at district and provincial hospitals, indicating plans to discuss this with local government officials. For the year 2024, EVMC has been allocated PHP3.3 bil
lion for infrastructure improvements and the acquisition of medical equipment. This funding will cover various projects, including the rehabilitation of the main building, construction of a cancer building, and upgrades to operating and emergency rooms, among other improvements.
The hospital’s operational budget is also set to increase, rising from PHP527 million to PHP1.2 billion by 2025. The EVMC is situated on a 15-hectare property developed after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated the region in 2013, which severely damaged the old hospital facilities downtown.