• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City committed June 8 to take seriously feedback about its operations in a bid to lead “the new era of compassionate and responsive public health service in the Negros Island Region”.
“I’ve read the social media post shared on June 6, 2025, by Ms. Cayla Mitch Tecson on her family’s recent experience at our Emergency Department. First, I want to thank her for speaking up. Feedback, especially the kind that points out where we need to improve, is essential, and I take it seriously,” Dr. Joan Cerrada, medical center chief II of CLMMRH, said in a statement.
Tecson posted three photos of an isolation room at CLMMRH where they were supposed to stay after being found to have hand, foot, and mouth disease. “…when we saw the room, we were shocked. It was dirty and not safe, especially for young kids with skin infections. Because of this, we asked to move to another hospital and left…”
“I am not complaining, but I want the hospital to improve their isolation rooms. Hospitals should be clean and safe so patients and their families feel okay. Some doctors were kind, but the hospital itself needs to be better for the patients,” her post stated.
Cerrada said the cot shown in the photo had just been vacated by another patient when the picture was taken. “We understand how this might have appeared, and more importantly, how it must have felt for the family involved. We sincerely apologize for the discomfort and distress caused. Please know that we’re not brushing this aside.”
“Healthcare is not just about treatment. It’s about dignity, reassurance, and trust,” Cerrada stressed. “Cleanliness and safety remain top priorities (and) our leadership and staff are committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.”
She said that when Tecson’s family arrived in the hospital, its emergency room was already handling 83 patients, which is far over the current capacity of 68 beds. “Unfortunately, our pediatric isolation area was already full, overwhelmed by a recent surge in respiratory illnesses. As a temporary measure, the children were placed in the decontamination room.”
“This comes at a time when we are preparing for a long-overdue, major renovation of our Emergency Department, an upgrade that directly addresses the challenges highlighted in this experience,” Cerrada added.
She said the full upgrade will begin this August, and is expected to last for about three months.
“Let this be more than just a renovation (but) a real turning point in how we care and how we serve. With these changes underway, CLMMRH leads the new era of compassionate and responsive public health service in the Negros Island Region,” Cerrada added. | CGC
