KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato—The South Cotabato Provincial Hospital celebrated a significant milestone with the turnover and blessing of its newly constructed four-story building at the Protech Center. The facility, which is currently set to serve as the hospital’s outpatient department, is part of a broader plan to improve healthcare services in the province.
Dr. Conrado Brana, OIC-Provincial Health Officer and Chief of Hospital, highlighted the importance of this development in his speech, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare. The hsopital record revealed that the OPD served an average of 300 outpatients everyday.
“This new building is not just a structure; it is a symbol of our dedication to improving the quality of healthcare in the region,” Dr. Brana stated. “For the meantime, we will use this facility as the outpatient department to allow the much-needed renovation of the old hospital building. Some rooms will also be allocated for the administrative office and pharmacy.”
The construction of the modern facility was made possible through collaboration between the Department of Health – Center for Health Development and the Provincial Government of South Cotabato. Dr. Brana expressed his deep gratitude to all those who played a role in making the project a reality.
“To the planners, engineers, and all our partners, your hard work and expertise have made this dream a reality. To the Center for Health Development Region 12, the provincial government, and all our stakeholders, thank you for your unwavering support,” he said.
The journey to this milestone began with the groundbreaking ceremony on June 31, 2019. Initially planned for a different location, the project was relocated after thorough deliberations to ensure it could fully meet the growing healthcare demands of South Cotabato. The groundbreaking for the current site was held on December 9, 2022, with construction officially starting on January 29, 2023.
“Today, we are proud to see this state-of-the-art facility ready to serve the people of South Cotabato,” Dr. Brana said. “Although for now, only the ground floor will be operational as we continue working towards the full completion of the building, this marks just the beginning of a more comprehensive healthcare initiative for our province.”
With this new facility, healthcare professionals will have improved resources to provide better medical services. Dr. Brana expressed optimism that the hospital’s expansion will enhance patient care and safety, ultimately benefiting the entire province and even nearby areas.
“We are confident that this new chapter will enable us to deliver not only excellent medical care but also a brighter, healthier future for everyone—not only in South Cotabato but also in neighboring provinces,” he said.
As of press time, the provincial hospital housed at least 50 doctors, both regular and consulting doctors. The management is eyeing to hire more surgeons. Record showed that there are five visiting surgeons at the provincial hospital.
