BRTTH marks 100th year

By Wyslly S. Ala LEGAZPI CITY --- Another milestone for Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) has been etched on its history as it celebrates its centennial year of service. Established in 1918, BRTTH originally opened as a US Army hospital which was later renamed Albay Provincial Hospital before it got its current name and status today. A motorcade started the celebration followed by a centennial human formation by 100 wheelchair recipients from the residents of the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon. A ground breaking ceremony commenced the construction of a new five-storey building with 600 bed capacity. The events were participated in by personnel from BRTTH and representatives from the Department of Health headed by Bicol Regional Director Dr. Napoleon Arevalo together with Undersecretary Lilibeth David and Assistant Secretary Francia Laxamana from the DOH Central Office. Also present during the celebration was Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Sarte Salceda. BRTTH chief Dr. Rogelio Rivera also expressed his gratitude in the celebration of their hospital’s centennial year. Asked what made BRTTH reach its age today, Rivera said that it wasn’t really a secret. “In fact, we are just doing our jobs to reach our goals. We need to show the Filipinos that the government is ready and willing to help them,” Rivera said. With an increasing number of patients every day, the hospital starts to implement its modernization and widening program. Top on their list is the construction of a 5–storey building with a 600 bed capacity. “It is one of our objectives to have an increase in bed capacity as well as personnel to lessen the congestion in the wards,” Dr. Rivera said. The medical chief also added that they need to serve the Bicolanos even more for them not to go farther in seeking help for their medication. “We can show our patients that we have and can still offer more high quality health care services most especially in the future,” he added. According to Rivera, the reason why he continues to work harder is because he believes that he can still do more to help the patients. “I can still help that’s why I still strive. I will stay. I will fight for better health care services,” he continued. Meanwhile, as part of their upgrading efforts, BRTTH is set to put up additional facilities such as heart center, new out–patient department, cancer center psychiatric building, dialysis building, ER – trauma building and patient support service building as well as HIV Hub. New facilities will be also added, such as stroke, trauma, alternative/complimentary medicine and a public health unit. Also, with the increase in facilities, BRTTH is also mulling to beef up its plantilla positions to address the needs of growing number of patients.