The University of the Philippines (UP) inaugurated a renovated and expanded health service facility on its Diliman campus on January 27, 2023.
The UP Diliman Health Service (UPD-HS), more popularly known as the Infirmary, is now on its way to becoming what UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo called a “model primary health care facility” for UP constituents and the community after undergoing major improvements since 2019.
The Radiology Department, Pharmacy, and Admitting Office were among the upgraded units and relocated to more appropriate locations. Specialists’ clinics, gyms, and physical therapy rooms now augment the existing doctors’ clinics. The main lobby is now a spacious hall accommodating more students during enrolment. The new Emergency Room is situated near the road for ease of access; landscaping and site development has been done to improve access for vehicles and pedestrians.
A three-story building is currently being constructed to house the administrative offices, an in‐patient ward, more operating rooms, the dietary department, laboratories, supply rooms, and parking spaces.
Construction work, which began under former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, is funded and undertaken by the DPWH.
DPWH Quezon City District Engineer Ramon Devanadera, UP System officials led by President Danilo Concepcion, UP Diliman officials led by Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, UP Manila (UPM) Chancellor Carmencita Padilla, UPM-Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo Legaspi, and UPHS Director Myrissa Melinda Lacuna-Alip led the inaugural ceremony.
According to Concepcion, the project was a means to achieve his administration’s goal of filling all the slots for first-year students, which the University could not do without additional facilities. First-year students are required to undergo a thorough medical exam during enrolment.
Together with the PGH—under which the health services of UP Manila, UP Los Baños, and UP Diliman are supposed to operate, based on an administrative order by Concepcion—the UPD-HS is also acquiring new equipment, which includes a Mammotome breast biopsy device for the early detection of breast cancer.
“We are increasing the number of specialist consultants and clinics for them,” Concepcion added. “Correspondingly, we need to upgrade laboratory services for tests that the specialists will prescribe.” He said the administration is looking at a public-private partnership for a laboratory facility to be located in the building being constructed.
“We also need to think about bringing back surgical operations and upgrading the operating room facility for minor surgical procedures,” Concepcion said. He added PGH surgeons could perform these.
“The inauguration of the UPD-HS is a sign that the health of the community is one of the university’s top priorities,” Nemenzo said. He pointed out that the improvements at the UPD-HS align with the “vision of a model primary care facility in the university and community implementing universal health care.”
