The Mariveles District Hospital (MDH) formally opened its doors for public service with a ceremonial blessing and ribbon cutting last 24 September 2018 at the MDH Compound, Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), Mariveles, Bataan.

Gracing the soft opening were key government officials namely Bataan Governor Hon. Albert S. Garcia, AFAB Chairman and Administrator Emmanuel D. Pineda, Mariveles Municipal Mayor Ace Jello Concepcion, Department of Health Region (DOH) III Assistant Regional Director Ruben Siapno, Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Usec. Austere Panadero, and Chief of Hospital II, Orani District Hospital and MDH Dr. Hector Santos.

With the official opening of the MDH, healthcare and medical services are now more accessible to residents of Mariveles, Bataan and even neighboring towns. Initial or Phase 1 services are offered in the outpatient department, emergency room, animal bite treatment center, dental clinic, basic laboratory, and pharmacy. Health programs are also available such as family planning and smoking cessation.

“Kung titignan niyo po objectively, hindi po tayo delayed, we are on time sa pagbubukas po nito [MDH]”, Dr. Santos claimed in his opening remarks. He explained that since the passing of House Bill 0078 by the late Congressman “Tet” Garcia establishing the Mariveles of District Hospital in 2011 and its approval in 2014, it has gone through a long and rigorous process of planning, fund sourcing, building renovation, and processing of documents to acquire DOH license.

Gov. Garcia expressed his gratitude to all the sectors, government, private and other related units, who worked hand in hand towards the completion and realization of the MDH. Also, Mayor Concepcion assured the continued and strengthened support of the local government to all its stakeholders.

Chairman Pineda also conveyed his support especially in further improving the facilities and infrastructures as continued efforts to improve access for the community. “The 40,000 strong workforce employed in the Freeport Area of Bataan will be really happy that they can have accessibility to healthcare services”, he added.

The MDH is one of the priority projects of Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia and the late Bataan 2nd district Rep. Enrique T. Garcia, Jr. in response to growing need of Mariveles, the most populated municipality in the province of Bataan.

The Mariveles District Hospital is a three-level structure with floor area of 3,248 square meters situated within the Freeport Area of Bataan. It aims to be fully operational by early 2019 with a 50-bed capacity which will elevate its status to a Level 1 general hospital.

Services to be offered in MDH’s Phase 2 are outpatient emergency services and consultations on pediatrics, medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, and surgery. Facilities to be made available are isolation, surgical, maternity, blood station, first level x-ray laboratory, and secondary clinic laboratory. For its Phase 3, continuous upgrading and expansion of services are to be expected.

AFAB