COTABATO REGIONAL AND MEDICAL CENTER PROFILE

In 1916, the Cotabato Hospital was established as a 12-bed civilian hospital in a residential house at the Municipality of Cotabato.  In October 17, 1917, the hospital transferred to the Pedro Colina Hill in an area of 15,813 sq. meters allocated out of the military reservation by Hon. S. Martin, the then acting Governor General.

In the passing of years, the 12-bed capacity hospital grew to 30, 100, 150 beds and in February 1973, Secretary of Health, Hon. Clemente S. Gatmaitan issued DOH-DO No. 60-B, s. 1973 accrediting the Cotabato Hospital as a teaching and training hospital with authorized bed capacity of 200 bed and named Cotabato Regional Hospital.

In 1975, Sec. Gatmaitan approved the acquisition of a new site with an area of 101,611 sq. meters from the Canizares Estate.  Construction of new buildings were started in 1980 and completed and occupied in November 3, 1983.

The following served as Chiefs of the Cotabato Regional Hospital: Dr. Liborio Gomez, Dr. Vicente Keirulf, Dr. Roque, Dr. Tolentino, Dr. Peñalosa, Dr. C. Deles, Dr. D. Lacuna, Dr. Vicente Caspistrano, Dr. Bernabe dela Fuente, Dr. E. De Jesus, Dr. Leonardo C. de Guzman, Dr. Gani E. Maulana, Dr. Eduardo T. dela Fuente and Dr. Ariadne G. Silongan.  At present, it is under the leadership of Dr. Helen P. Yambao, MD, FPOGS, FSGOP, Chief of Hospital III.

In June 30, 1997 the hospital was again upgraded into a 400-bed capacity Medical Center and named “Cotabato Regional and Medical Center and  was approved as Level IV Tertiary, Teaching and Training hospital, by virtue of RA 8316.
 
Although the Hospital was upgraded into a 400 bed there was no corresponding increase in budget allocation (OPERATIONAL BUDGET IS STILL FOR A 200-BED CAPACITY), it is presently implementing a 340 bed which more than that of the authorized bed capacity of 200.

At present, there are existing private wards which have 10 rooms with 5 beds in each room. There are also 4 private suite rooms in the payward and ortho-uro-ophtha ward with amenities such as toilet and bathroom, air-condition, dinette, refrigerator, sala set and medical kit. There are now plans to put up another wing for additional private single rooms.

Currently, aside from the MOOE of P 35, 593, 000.00 that it received from the DOH, the representatives from District I of Cotabato,  Cong.  Emmylou Talino - Mendoza, District I of Maguindanao, Cong. Didagen P. Dilangalen, District II of Maguindanao, Cong. Simeon Datumanong, District I of Sultan Kudarat, Cong. Arnulfo Go, Party-list Representatives of CIBAC and  AMIN,  Tacurong  Mayor Lino Montilla donated their PDAF in the past three years.  After the RECENTelections, Cong. Simeon Datumanong, District I of Sultan Kudarat, Cong. Arnulfo Go, Tacurong Mayor Lina Montilla continued their support and the followinf Party-lists have initially given their support: Akbayan, Bayan Muna, Anak-pawis, and Gabriela.  ICRC has been generous in donating medical supplies and drugs and orthopedic surgical instruments and MSF in paying for the discounted hospital bills of the patients from evacuation centers that they refer.

The population patronage of CRMC is high based on the following reasons given on a survey conducted among the 209 patients admitted with 80 randomly selected respondents:  accessibility, quality services, affordability of drugs, lab exams, radiologic procedures, completeness of the equipment and other facilities, maximum availment of PHIC benefits, favorite hospital in terms of ICU services, cleanliness, friendly staff, responsive health care workers despite the volume of patients, sensitive to cultural beliefs and traditions, good security,  only government hospital in town, hemodialysis health packages are offered,  good looking doctors and nurses.