DAVAO CITY (PIA) — The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is seeking congressional approval to expand its bed capacity from 1,500 to 2,000, citing overcrowding as a pressing concern.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw on December 16, SPMC Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan emphasized the need for additional beds to address the growing number of patients, which often exceeds capacity. The hospital frequently accommodates up to 2,000 patients, forcing staff to place extra beds in hallways, particularly in the emergency room.
“It’s very congested, lalo na sa emergency rooms. Imagine, the SPMC is the only government hospital in Davao City; next is the DRMC in Tagum,” Audan said.
As the largest government hospital in the Philippines under the Department of Health (DOH), SPMC serves patients across Mindanao. The proposal to increase its bed capacity was deliberated in a House of Representatives Committee on Health hearing in March 2024 and has since gained lower committee approval.
Audan expressed optimism that political support could expedite the process, which could take three or more years.
In November 2024, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go inaugurated a P151.6 million five-story “Pahulayan” facility at the SPMC. The facility, which can accommodate 140 individuals, prioritizes watchers of patients from outside Davao City.
Audan also highlighted advancements in the hospital’s technology, including the recent acquisition of the “Da Vinci Surgical System,” a P350-million robotic technology set to operate in early 2025. SPMC will become the first DOH hospital in Visayas and Mindanao to offer robotic-assisted surgery, with 40 medical staff currently undergoing training to operate the system.
The robotic technology, housed in the Mindanao Kidney Transplant Institute at SPMC, will support various surgical specialties, including ophthalmology, orthopedics, ENT, and obstetrics-gynecology, expanding the hospital’s capability to save lives across the region. (REC/PIA XI)
