The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here has reaffirmed its commitment to quality emergency care as it transitions to its upgraded Emergency Department (ED) facility.

On Friday, CLMMRH transported patients from the temporary ED to the main ED, a week after the hospital officials unveiled the almost PHP92-million emergency room rehabilitation project.

“This journey leads us into a new chapter as the apex hospital of the Negros Island Region, reaffirming our promise of compassionate and responsive emergency care,” the hospital management said in a statement.

John Michael Gabriel Zaragoza, public information officer of CLMMRH, said the process began at 4 a.m. to transport patients from the temporary ED to the main ED.

By 6 a.m., the temporary ED entrance doors officially closed, and the main ED opened its doors to the public, he added.

Intubated patients and those on high-flow oxygen remain at the temporary ED for forward transport while patients currently admitted to the surge wards stay in place until vacancies become available in their respective wards.

“This transfer process will continue until the last patient has been moved, at which point the surge wards will be fully vacated to undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection,” Zaragoza said.

Through its rehabilitated ED, which caters to 80 to 120 patients daily, the CLMMRH aims to improve patient flow, enhance efficiency in critical care response, and provide a safer, more dignified environment for both patients and healthcare workers.

The renovation project, funded by the CLMMRH management, was completed earlier this month, ending the three-month temporary closure of the emergency room services that started end of September last year. (PNA)