HOMEGROWN Primary Group of Builders has forayed into the hospital business to augment Cebu’s bed supply and boost the island’s healthcare and wellness services.
What was once an out-patient healthcare facility has now been transformed into The Hospital at Maayo, a Department of Health and PhilHealth accredited 100-bed healthcare facility housed in a green building.
The hospital located in Mandaue City started operations in August 2021 when Cebu was battling the Delta variant.
“We always look for underserved areas that we can excel in and bring our service experience... There has always been a cry for better medical care. It’s a bold move but we find it necessary that we do bring positive change to this industry,” said Primary Group chairman William Christopher Liu Jr. in a media briefing Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021.
The group has been in the healthcare business for four years through Maayo Medical.
“This wasn’t supposed to be a hospital yet. This was outpatient. I believe it’s the Covid-19 pandemic that accelerated our entry in the hospital (space). It was a clamor from the public to do better,” he said. “It is a natural progression after we built so many houses, factories, churches and schools, among others.
According to Liu, the group spent P5 billion to turn the out-patient facility into a full-scale hospital equipped with world-class facilities and services.
“Our entry has raised the bar of medical care quite a bit,” he said.
The Hospital at Maayo currently has 200 accredited doctors across specialties.
It offers a wide range of specialties, diagnostics and therapeutic services with the aim to give patients the best care that they deserve.
“Caring for patients is the essential purpose of a hospital. Here, at The Hospital at Maayo we strive to give personalized, patient-centric attention and care to our patients. Every part of the hospital, most especially our out-patient and in-patient departments are designed to enhance patient safety and comfort,” said Dr. Lawrence Chad Liu, medical director of The Hospital at Maayo.
Hiring nurses
Besides partnering with top-notch medical professionals in Cebu, the hospital is currently hiring nurses and other healthcare staff to join the team, although at present the hospital has enough staff to handle the critical care unit of the hospital.
“We want to invite more people to come. We pride ourselves with the culture of compassion and care not only for our patients but for our colleagues as well. We all know the difficulty that all other hospitals across all nations are going through, especially when it comes to nursing service hiring and we want to change that, and invite more people,” said Dr. Maria Carmina Joyce Alferez, the hospital’s chief of clinic.
State-of-the art equipment
The hospital utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and the latest and most advanced technologies in giving medical assistance to patients. Its operating rooms with five theaters, hemodialysis, cardiovascular unit, intensive care unit (ICU), neonatal ICU and labor and delivery rooms are said to be “the best in Cebu.”
The Hospital at Maayo also provides outpatient rehabilitation services through its physical wellness and rehabilitation unit — the only one in Cebu that incorporates land and water therapy through its brackish water lap pool.
It also has a separate wing to cater to Covid-related cases.
Rooms, on the other hand, are equipped with hotel-like amenities—modern interior design, nice bed, toilet and bath, refrigerator, private telephone line, and 24-hour cable TV, plus separate bed for accompanying family members in Family Rooms; attached spacious bathroom, separate living room for family and guests who may opt to stay with the patient, and mini-kitchen with dining table for quick meals and snacks in Specialty Suites. All private rooms have separate aircon ventilation for added safety.
For the convenience of room occupants, they have the option to avail themselves of the room service of nearby Maayo Hotel.
“Our entry in the medical care will help set the standards higher. As a result, everyone would benefit, not only the Cebuano community but also those in other parts of the country and nearby islands. We are hoping that this would be a push for everyone to bring the level of healthcare of Cebu to a higher level,” said Dr. Lawrence.
Value for money
While the hospital poured in a hefty investment for modern medical equipment and a “hotel-like” ambiance, officials assured of a patient-centered service.
Dr. Lawrence said they made sure that the hospital’s rates and fees are competitive with those of the rest of the neighboring healthcare businesses.
“What we want to promise is that when you come here it will really be value for money. Meaning to say, the kind of care, standard of care, excellent care that you’ve paid for,” said Alferez. “We want to make sure you still have that at home feel.”
Besides The Hospital at Maayo, the Primary Group also owns another medical clinic in Poblacion, Minglanilla named San Lucas Medical.