STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan (PIA) — First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos graced the opening of the newly constructed Level 2 hospital in Bayambang, Pangasinan, on Oct. 18.
Named in honor of former Bayambang Mayor Dr. Cezar Quiambao’s late son, Julius K. Quiambao, the inauguration of the JKQ Medical and Wellness Center Inc. highlighted the dedication to healing people out of love by providing healthcare services that are accessible to all.
JKQ Medical and Wellness Center Inc., situated on a two-hectare area in Barangay Asin, is equipped with advanced medical technologies and specialized services, aiming to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare for the town’s residents and surrounding areas as it opens within the year.
“It is a hospital with a heart. We will not charge our fellow citizens high fees,” promised Dr. Quiambao, chairman of JKQ Medical and Wellness Center Inc., assuring that they will match the lowest charges of any hospital in the province.
He expressed his gratitude to First Lady Marcos for attending the ceremony, touring the hospital, and for the assistance that she and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. have provided for the municipality’s development projects.
JKQ Medical and Wellness Center Inc. is a six-story building with a capacity of 100 beds, designed to accommodate a diverse range of medical needs.
The hospital’s workforce comprises 250 highly trained doctors and 350 skilled medical staff, including nurses, healthcare specialists, and hospital assistants.
“JKQ Medical is the only medical city hospital of its kind in the region. It is not for those who operate it; it is a hospital for the people, of the people, by the people, and with the people,” said Anthony Quiambao, president of JKQ Medical and Wellness Center Inc.
He emphasized that love is essential for healing, expressing hope that the town and its residents embody this spirit so that everyone can feel cared for and supported in their journey to better health.
With a commitment to love and care, Bayambang residents and those from nearby towns may access comprehensive healthcare services, including surgery, laboratory diagnostics, emergency care, and an intensive care unit (ICU), using state-of-the-art technology.
It will also have specialized centers for eye care and mental wellness, as well as offer imaging services such as CT scans, 3D ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
“The JKQ is a gift to the people of Bayambang and to all of Pangasinan. We are not just making history in advancing the healthcare system by providing top-notch services and medical equipment; we are also fulfilling a valuable purpose by offering hope to the community,” said Bayambang Mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis “Niña” Jose-Quiambao.
She affirmed that many families live in hope-crushing poverty, which is why they started this initiative to break the cycle of poverty by creating more opportunities and bringing government services closer to the people.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), hopes that the new health facility in the province will strengthen the foundation of Universal Health Care (UHC) by prioritizing both immediate medical needs and the long-term health of families and communities it serves.
He also hopes that the facility will immediately complete the PhilHealth accreditation process, including the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (KonSulTa) program, and establish a partnership that alleviates the financial burden on patients by providing affordable and accessible network care. (AMB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
