CEBU — The Cebu Provincial Government delivered two anesthesia machines and an electrocautery unit to the Mariano Jesus Cuenco Memorial Hospital in early July 2026, dramatically expanding the surgical capability of the southwestern facility. The equipment arrives just as the hospital prepares to transition from an infirmary into a fully licensed Level 1 general hospital.
Surgical Equipment Unlocks Local Operations
Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan explained that the new anesthesia machines will ensure patient safety and stability during surgical procedures, while the electrocautery machine provides surgeons with precise control over bleeding. Governor Pamela Baricuatro confirmed that a surgeon is already stationed on‑site, meaning the hospital can immediately begin performing operations.
The delivery closes a long‑standing gap that forced residents of southwestern Cebu to endure arduous travel to Cebu City for even minor surgical interventions. With the equipment in place, appendectomies, cesarean sections, and other urgent procedures can now be handled within the community.
Level 1 Upgrade Nears Completion
The hospital’s upgrade to a Level 1 facility follows a landmark Deed of Usufruct signed on June 15 between Governor Baricuatro and Malabuyoc Mayor Erlinda Piedad. The agreement grants the province full authority to manage and develop the hospital while the municipality retains land ownership, clearing the regulatory pathway for higher classification.
A concurrent ₱6‑million repair and rehabilitation project is already over 52 percent complete. Once finished, the hospital will feature operating rooms, isolation facilities, maternity and dental clinics, first‑level X‑ray services, a secondary laboratory with a consulting pathologist, a blood station, and an in‑house pharmacy.
Fast‑Track Procurement Reflects Restored Trust
Governor Baricuatro earlier ordered the expedited procurement and delivery of medical equipment in response to a notable surge in patient turnout at Capitol‑run hospitals. Provincial officials attribute the rising numbers to restored public confidence in the healthcare system during her first year in office.
Dr. Catalan, tasked with overseeing the modernization of four district and twelve provincial hospitals, emphasized that the administration’s healthcare strategy balances three core pillars: adequate medicine supply, sufficient medical personnel, and modern equipment. The fast‑tracked deliveries are a direct result of this focused directive.
A Cornerstone of a ₱1.3‑Billion Healthcare Overhaul
The Malabuyoc equipment infusion is a small but strategic piece of a massive ₱1.3‑billion healthcare modernization budget allocated across late 2025 and 2026. The Capitol has hired over a hundred doctors and hundreds of nurses within the past year to address historic staffing shortages across its sixteen hospitals.
By establishing surgical capacity in Malabuyoc, the province eliminates the hazardous and costly travel that southwestern residents previously faced. The investment reinforces the Capitol’s commitment to decentralizing quality medical care and bringing life‑saving services closer to every Cebuano family.
