Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH) has strengthened its life-saving capabilities with the launch of two new facilities aimed at improving patient safety and ensuring uninterrupted care.
Hospital chief Dr. Monserrat Chichioco said the newly opened Reprocessing Unit for Medical Devices (RUMED) and Medical Oxygen Generating Plant (MOGP) enhance infection control and secure a stable oxygen supply for patients. Both facilities were inaugurated on March 15 and funded through the hospital’s internal revenues.
Chichioco noted that the expansion of surgical services has increased the need for a reliable and specialized system for sterilizing medical instruments. At the RUMED, all equipment undergoes a stringent, closely monitored process—from manual and ultrasonic cleaning to automated disinfection and advanced sterilization that eliminates microorganisms.
Each instrument is inspected, packaged with chemical indicators, and subjected to strict quality control measures, including biological and system tests. The facility is designed with a unidirectional workflow and controlled air systems to ensure clear separation between contaminated and sterile zones.
Meanwhile, the MOGP guarantees a continuous supply of medical-grade oxygen, producing up to 99.5 percent purity and generating the equivalent of 400 to 500 cylinders daily. The oxygen is directly supplied through the hospital’s central pipeline system, reaching wards, intensive care units, operating rooms, and emergency departments.
The facility also includes an in-house cylinder refilling system, improving emergency readiness while reducing costs and dependence on external suppliers.
Supervised by the Department of Health, JBLMGH has been serving Central Luzon since 1921. Chichioco credited the agency’s continued support, which allowed the hospital to allocate its own revenues for key infrastructure upgrades.
