Philstar.com

February 10, 2026 | 3:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — Asian Hospital and Medical Center, a world-class healthcare institution based in the south of Metro Manila, opened a newly constructed Bayanihan Ward recently, further strengthening its commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to more Filipinos.

Located on the eighth floor of Tower 2, the Bayanihan Ward has a 29-bed capacity. It includes 16 beds for adult surgical and medical patients, six beds for obstetrics and gynecology patients, six beds for pediatric patients and one isolation bed.

The opening ceremony was led by Asian Hospital president and CEO Dr. Beaver Tamesis and was graced by Muntinlupa Mayor Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Health Undersecretary Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation president Dr. Edwin Mercado and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Crisis Intervention Program division chief Artemio Bautista.

For many years, Asian Hospital has been offering service beds to indigent patients, making use of its wards and private rooms. The opening of the new Bayanihan service ward brings the service ward capacity to 34, consisting of 29 ward beds in Tower 2 and five chemotherapy ward beds in Tower 1.

“This means that all of our medical, nursing and allied health trainees will work in these two wards, allowing for more efficient and standardized services,” explained Dr. Jose Acuin, director of the Asian Learning Institute and head of the Bayanihan Service Program.

The Bayanihan Ward will serve as a one-stop hub for service patients, as the floor will also house the offices of the hospital’s training programs, as well as Asian Hospital Charities Inc. (AHCI), Asian Hospital’s official charity arm.

“Our goal is to make our brand of globally recognized care accessible to as many Filipinos as possible. There is enough room to make care more affordable, and the more we expand access to this kind of care, the increasing volumes themselves will make care sustainable,” Dr. Acuin said.

Spirit of bayanihan

The Bayanihan Ward is also premised on the belief that Universal Health Care “can only be achieved with the spirit of bayanihan—shared responsibility, solidarity, and support from the family and the community.”

“It also seals Asian Hospital’s commitment to provide ‘Alagang Deserve, Alagang Sulit,’ ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of status in life, can access the peerless medical care for which Asian Hospital is justly renowned,” Dr. Acuin added.

Dr. Tamesis stressed that it takes a whole village and a whole system to look after a community, and the medical community expressed its readiness and willingness to come together to cater to everyone in the community.

For her part, Dr. Nievera described the creation of the Bayanihan Ward in three words—paglilingkod, pagtutulungan and pagkakaisa.

“This is Asian Hospital’s commitment to Universal Health Care and to the nation. Everyone in the hospital has joined hands to give the necessary care to patients from all walks of life. This is ‘Alagang Deserve, Alagang Sulit,’” she said.

Mayor Biazon welcomed the opening of the Bayanihan Ward, saying that healthcare is a major concern in Muntinlupa and that “every bed counts.”

“I really like your tagline ‘Alagang Deserve, Alagang Sulit’ because this is what our people need. And seeing the facility that is afforded to them, it adds to their hope or feeling that they will be taken care of because of the quality of care that Asian Hospital is giving, which is now available to all,” he added.

According to Undersecretary Palermo-Maestral, Asian Hospital “has set the bar very high,” and is hopeful that the country will be able to achieve Universal Health Care with the help of the private sector.

Dr. Edwin Mercado added that the Bayanihan Ward was a step in the right direction toward UHC.

“This is a testament to reaching Universal Health Care. It may not happen in our lifetime, but this is a step in the right direction, and we are here to support you,” he said, adding that he, together with Dr. Palermo-Maestral and DSWD’s Bautista, are committed to supporting Asian Hospital.

Bautista added that he hopes the Bayanihan Ward will be replicated in Visayas and Mindanao, “as a trailblazer in providing sulit care to many more.”

To avail of the services of the Bayanihan Ward, patients will first consult at the Outpatient Health Services on the Lower Ground Floor of the hospital so they can be evaluated by hospital residents and social workers. Only financially needy patients are qualified to be admitted to the Bayanihan Ward, with their level of need determining the level of financial subsidy, ranging from zero-balance billing under PhilHealth-only arrangements to varying discounted charges on their medical care.

“We will make sure that procedures, tests and medicines are packaged to keep costs low for patients in need of financial support,” Dr. Acuin explained.

Asian Hospital’s investment in affordable care

Asian Hospital Charities Inc., together with the training departments, are the main sources of funds for the Bayanihan service ward. AHCI closely and actively works with local government and non-government organizations to augment its funds.

It is accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification, signifying that it meets high standards for transparency, accountability and responsible management. It also holds tax donee status, allowing it to issue Certificates of Donation that donors may use to claim tax deductions.

To raise additional funds, the hospital will organize an annual Bayanihan Run, bringing together its corporate partners, civil society and local governments in a joyous celebration of healthy living and generous giving.

Through its Bayanihan inpatient and outpatient services, Asian Hospital extends healing beyond its walls, creating a meaningful and lasting impact on patients, communities and the nation.

Editor’s Note: This press release from Asian Hospital and Medical Center is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.