The Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) expects all 16 of its specialty centers to be fully operational between 2028 and 2030 as it works toward expanding its capacity from 600 to 1,500 beds to serve patients from Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
BGHMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Larry Haya said in an interview on Thursday that the ongoing construction involves “massive, multi-story structures” across the hospital compound, leading to a phased completion timeline extending to 2030.
Despite this, several specialty services —including heart, kidney, lung, eye, mental health, geriatrics, rehabilitation medicine, cancer, and trauma— have already begun operating in partially completed areas to ease the burden on patients and their families.
He clarified that while some subspecialty clinics are not yet open, core departments such as internal medicine and pediatrics remain fully functional.
“Our patients do not have to go to Metro Manila for various medical services. They can receive them here,” Haya said.
BGHMC, a Department of Health-run hospital, currently serves an average daily load exceeding its 600-bed capacity, operating at around 110 percent occupancy.
Its outpatient department accommodates about 1,000 patients daily, while 300 to 500 patients seek care at the emergency room.
Patient numbers have further increased following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement of zero balance billing (ZBB) for basic accommodations.
Haya thanked private hospitals for helping absorb some of the overflow as BGHMC undergoes expansion. (PNA)
