New chief vows to make BMC a ‘mega’ hospital
By Ana-liza Macatangay
The newly appointed chief of the Bicol Medical Center (BMC), the region’s biggest government tertiary hospital, has vowed to transform it into a “mega” hospital in the future.
In a speech after his installation on Jan. 28 as the 14th BMC chief, Dr. Ronnie Gregorio B. Gigantone III, made the promise before hospital officials, staff and guests.
Gigantone presented a development plan that would turn BMC into a mega hospital, equipped with “state-of the-art facilities, highly trained personnel, and more modernized facilities that offer affordable and accessible healthcare services to the Bicolanos.”
He said that the basic and important ground works have been laid and started at the time of his predecessors: Dr. Efren Nerva, who first introduced the blueprint of a modernized BMC and the newly-retired Medical Center Chief, Dr. Francisco Sales, who continued Nerva’s legacy amid the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“To officially take the reins at this point in time was actually made easier with the groundwork laid by my predecessor, who is also my mentor, Dr. Francisco Sales, for the past years. And also I would like to mention my other mentors, from the private sector, Dr. Sarmiento, who gave me the opportunity to handle the operations of a private hospital in our locality,” Gigantone said.
He also acknowledged the crucial role that Sales had introduced to ensure that the hospital remained on its feet despite being swarmed with patients, while facing Covid-19 head on.
“This is a very ambitious project indeed. But this is not impossible. With the help of our stakeholders and the people of BMC, and our supporters alike, I think we will be able to achieve this. This is a dream. Dreams come true,” Gigantone said.
The new medical chief said they would make sure that their plans were totally aligned with the Hospital Development Plan, along with the BMC Performance Governance System (PGS) strategic plan as they continued their march towards the proficiency level.
Their plans also include improvement of BMC’s designated specialty centers, manpower complement, and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
The highlights of his presentation included the renovation of the out-patient department building, development of the 8-storey Medical Arts building, refurbishing the entrance and exit gates, designated parking areas, and green landscaping among others.
“Dr. Kiko stepped in the management making difficult decisions, decisions that we knew were in the best interests of the hospital and our community. With that, I realize that I have really big steps to fill, as he has set the bar so high. Nonetheless, I feel honored to follow exceptional leaders, Dr. Sales and Dr. Nerva—whose achievements and many contributions made the medical center, Bicol Medical Center, what it is today.” (PIA5/Camarines Sur)