Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) has opened Phase 2 of its newly renovated and expanded Operating Room Complex (ORC) on February 7, 2025. The facility is slated to be operational this month.
The new area covers 879 square meters showcasing nine renovated rooms, bringing the total number of operating theaters to 14, up from the previous 10. The complex also includes a 15-bed recovery room, two isolation rooms, and more conducive spaces for doctors, nurses, staff, patients, and their families.
MDH President Arlene Ledesma said the renovation benefits everyone involved in surgical procedures and medical care. “We can now elevate the level of care given to our patients and allow them to have a better healing journey,” Ledesma said.
MDH opened Phase 1 of the new ORC in July 2024. Phase 1 includes five operating theaters, including two ophthalmology rooms, one ENT-ORL theater, and two minor rooms. With a total floor area of 870 square meters, Phase 1 helped create a more modern and well-equipped ORC structure to accommodate the increasing demand for surgical procedures.
With the opening of Phase 2, the ORC now has a total floor area of 1,749 square meters. Renovation and expansion of the ORC Phase 1 began in February 2024 and lasted until July 2024, while Phase 2’s renovation was completed in five months, beginning in August 2024.
MDH is also focusing on further upskilling its doctors and staff. Dr. Ma. Lourdes Cabaluna, an anesthesiologist from MDH’s Pain Management Department, said, “Manpower development is very important. Right now, we get sub-specialty training…so most of our anesthesiologists on board are trained by a sub-specialty, and one of the newest sub-specialties is regional anesthesia.”
Regional anesthesia is a type of pain management for surgery that numbs a large part of the body, primarily using nerve blocks. Nerve blocks can also be used to help manage chronic pain. Patients who undergo surgery with general anesthesia usually wake up in pain. Regional anesthesia enables patients to wake up pain-free, experience less downtime, and promote faster recovery. “We have trained people to do that,” Cabaluna said. “We’re going to pilot it soon.”
The presence of a premier medical facility with highly-skilled and trained medical practitioners like MDH ensures patients receive the best possible care, utilizing advanced techniques and benefiting from the expertise of specialists. This commitment to excellence not only improves patient outcomes but also reinforces trust and confidence in the healthcare system.
MDH is owned by Manila Medical Services, Inc. (MMSI) and is the health care affiliate of Metrobank Foundation, Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group.
