BMC Heart Center set for inauguration Oct. 19

By Danny Aureus

The first-ever cardiac or heart center in the Bicol region located in the new building of the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City is scheduled for blessing and inauguration on Tuesday, Oct. 19, one week before the retirement on Oct. 25 of BMC chief, Dr. Francisco Sales III.

In an interview with Dr. Efren Nerva, the former BMC medical director and currently a hospital consultant, he said that the inauguration of the cardiac center is put on hold for a few months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

BMC Cardiac Center central monitoring and critical care facility

BMC Cardiac Center Operating Room

Nerva said expected to attend the event are DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, former DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Gabby Bordado, and Presidential Adviser for Bicol Affairs Marvel Clavecilla.

BMC invited Ona because he was instrumental in the approval of the funds for the construction of the 5-storey and 8-storey buildings of the BMC including other facilities, which were initiated and implemented during Nerva’s term as BMC chief from 2010-2015.

Nerva recalled that when Ona, who was then health secretary, challenged medical chiefs of government hospital to submit proposals for the construction of new buildings to be used as cancer and heart centers and other improvements to make the hospitals world class, he was one of the first to submit a proposal.

He said the BMC Cardiac Center has already been operational for several months without formal inauguration. It is complete with equipment and laboratory facilities at par with those at the Philippine Heart Center and private hospitals in Metro Manila.

BMC is the biggest government hospital in the Bicol region. Its bed capacity was increased from 500 to 1,000 with the enactment of the BMC Law or RA 11478.