Ospital ng Sampaloc unveiled its newly upgraded emergency room on Monday, marking a major improvement in public health services in one of Manila’s most densely populated districts. The development reflects renewed efforts by the city government to modernize hospital facilities and address long-standing infrastructure issues that have affected patient care.
The inauguration capped a fast-tracked renovation that transformed the hospital’s emergency department into a more functional and patient-centered space. City officials said the project was designed to improve response times, working conditions for health workers, and overall quality of emergency care for residents of Sampaloc and nearby areas.
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Modernized Emergency Care Spaces
During the launch, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno detailed the upgrades inside the new emergency room, which now includes clearly designated triage and treatment zones, nurse stations, minor operating rooms, modern hospital beds, and an embedded oxygen system. Support areas were also improved, with the addition of a pharmacy window and accessible restrooms to better accommodate patients and their companions.
“I told you 90 days. I committed it to the people of Sampaloc. But I’m happy we finished it before 90 days,” Moreno said in Filipino, underscoring his earlier pledge to complete the project within three months.
The renovation follows the hospital’s groundbreaking ceremony in October, when Moreno publicly pointed out serious facility problems, including a leaking roof during the height of the typhoon season. Officials said these issues highlighted the urgency of improving the emergency room, especially as it serves as a critical entry point for patients seeking urgent medical attention.
Fixing Longstanding Gaps for Health Workers
Moreno also recalled the poor working conditions previously faced by hospital staff, describing how the old emergency room environment affected both morale and patient service.
“Where else can you find an emergency room that has a waterfall? How can I encourage my fellow government workers to smile in that environment? Smile at the patients [suffering under a leaking roof?],” the mayor said.
Alongside infrastructure improvements, Moreno noted that the city has recently released long-delayed Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) payments to contact tracers and medical frontliners. Some workers reportedly received as much as P72,000 after waiting nearly three years.
“We released it last Friday. And last Saturday, the HEA was finally received. Yes, it has not moved in three years. The papers got stuck. But they worked for it, even to the point that some of them got infected during Covid-19,” he added.
Moreno said the upgraded facility is part of a broader commitment to meeting minimum basic needs, particularly in health care, as a foundation for public welfare and sustainable development.
“I hope this type of facility, especially for our employees, will give you a certain level of better working environment, at the very least,” he said.
For Manilenyos, especially those who rely on public hospitals, the new emergency room signals how targeted investments in health infrastructure can translate into faster treatment, safer facilities, and more dignified care, reminding communities nationwide that accessible and well-equipped public hospitals remain essential to everyday life and national well-being.
