The Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) is set to strengthen its neonatal services following a PHP6.75-million donation from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for the procurement of five state-of-the-art neonatal incubators.

The donation, formally turned over on Monday, was facilitated through the efforts of Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Franz Pumaren, who sought PAGCOR’s help to address the hospital’s urgent need for modern medical equipment for newborn care.

QMMC, a government-run tertiary hospital popularly known as “Labor Hospital”, serves thousands of mothers and infants annually, many of whom come from underserved communities.

PAGCOR Vice President for the Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor led the turnover ceremony at the hospital boardroom, where he handed over the check donation to QMMC Head Dr. Evelyn Reside.

Villaflor underscored PAGCOR’s commitment to improving public healthcare facilities in the country during the ceremony.

“PAGCOR recognizes the vital role that institutions like QMMC play in safeguarding the lives of mothers and newborns. Through this donation, we aim to help ensure access to safer and more efficient medical care, especially among the poor,” he said.

Reside thanked PAGCOR for the timely intervention, emphasizing the growing demand for neonatal equipment in their facility.

“With the increasing number of childbirths we handle daily, having additional and updated neonatal incubators will make a significant difference in ensuring the survival and well-being of our premature and at-risk infants,” she said.

“The additional incubators will have a profound impact on the survival and care of premature and at-risk infants under our watch.”

Pumaren, for his part, said the donation would help QMMC deliver services that are at par with private hospitals.

“This will allow the hospital to expand its capabilities and better serve our constituents, particularly newborns needing specialized care,” he said. (PNA)