CEBU, PHILIPPINES — The Bantayan District Hospital (BDH) has successfully performed its first emergency (STAT) appendectomy, marking a major milestone in the expansion of its surgical services and improving access to emergency healthcare for residents of Bantayan Island.
The emergency procedure was carried out on July 24 by surgeon Dr. Delvin Marquez, with anesthesiologist Dr. Pascual Gongon and first assistant Dr. Melben Jochico.
Hospital officials said the successful operation demonstrates BDH’s growing capability to manage urgent surgical cases on the island, reducing the need to immediately transfer patients to hospitals in mainland Cebu.
The milestone follows the full operationalization of the hospital’s operating room after the installation of new surgical equipment, part of the Cebu Provincial Government’s continuing efforts to strengthen healthcare services in district hospitals under the administration of Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro.
Provincial Piso Health Consultant Dr. Elise Nicole Catalan, in a statement, said the expansion of surgical services is intended to bring essential healthcare closer to communities, particularly those in geographically isolated areas such as Bantayan Island.
From July 23 to 25, the hospital completed a total of eight surgical procedures.
On July 23, five minor operations were performed, including the excision of a forehead mass, excision of a left foot mass, and three wound debridement procedures for admitted patients.
On July 24, aside from the emergency appendectomy, the hospital also conducted a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure led by obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Anna Maureen Sios-e, with Dr. Gongon serving as anesthesiologist.
The following day, July 25, the hospital performed a mesh hernioplasty led by Dr. Marquez, with Dr. Gongon as anesthesiologist and Dr. Deco Tagadan as first assistant.
Catalan said the availability of surgical services at Bantayan District Hospital is expected to lessen the need for patients to travel to mainland Cebu, particularly during medical emergencies, while reducing transportation costs and improving access to timely healthcare.
She also recognized Bantayan District Hospital chief Dr. Nicolas James Najarro, together with the hospital’s doctors, nurses, and support staff, for making the expansion of surgical services possible.
Written by Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/FPL
