CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Background

1.1 Introduction
Health is defined as the function or metabolic efficiency of a living
organism. A person is considered to be healthy when he or she is able to fight
illness and injury. It is affected by different factors, lifestyle, environment and
biomedical factors. Lifestyle is the persons way of living and making decisions.
Good lifestyle maintains good health condition while the counterpart of it
contributes in getting illness and diseases.
Every Filipino seeks to have a better health condition that our government
should provide. Enacted in the Philippine Constitution, Article III Sec. 15 of 1987
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them. One factor that can determine one nation is
improving is having a healthy nation. Without considering healthcare, Filipinos
cannot attain the development they are looking for.
In order for people get through their sickness, hospitals are provided to
help ensure the healthy living in a community. Hospital plays an important role in
the health care system. Hospital is very essential and should always be a part of
community development but they are in different scale. It is a place where
corrective physical exercises are being practiced for the combination of medical
fitness facilities for conducting of the body and for good health and physical
proficiency. It is healthcare institutions that have an organized medical and other
professional staff, facilities and deliver medical, nursing and related services 24
hours per day, 7 days per week.

Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background l

As defined by DOH, general hospitals are hospitals that provide services

for all kinds of illnesses, diseases, injuries or deformities. It provides medical and
surgical care to the sick, injured, including maternity, newborn and child care.
Medical Center refers to hospital that specializes in a particular disease or
condition or in one type of patient. The growing number of population in Baguio
City requires having a bigger hospital facility that will accommodate the larger
number of people. Thats why the proponent proposed the modernization of
Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center (BCGHMC) to help the
residents of Baguio City and other people outside the city in having a hospital
that will provide the health needs of middle low income group without any delay.
The proponent also wants to promote a new trend for government hospital with
quality service to everyone who needs medical easement, intensive care and
attention.
1.2 Background of the Study
City of Baguio or Baguio City is a highly urbanized city located in the
province of Benguet in northern Luzon Island of the Philippines. The city is
situated at an altitude of approximately 1,540 meters (5,050 feet) in the Luzon
tropical pine forests eco-region conducive for the growth of mossy plants and
orchids. Due to its cool climate, Baguio was designated by the Philippine
Commission as the Summer Capital of the Philippines wherein the people in
other areas transfer to city to escape the lowland heat during summer.
Department of Health seeks to modernize at least 20 hospitals at a cost
of about 40 billion pesos in line with the aim of providing universal healthcare.
Speaking at the United Kingdom Healthcare Conference yesterday, Health
Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa said the modernization projects will be
Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background l

undertaken to improve the delivery of services in DOH hospitals Herbosa told

reporters the modernization of each hospital is estimated at least 2 billion pesos.
Department of health seeks modernization of 20 hospitals by Loulla Desiderio
(The Philippine Star) January 23, 2015. One of the named hospitals that the
DOH want to modernized was Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center.
Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center is a government hospital
and the only tertiary hospital in Baguio City providing quality health care, training
and research in the Philippines. Its construction began in 1907, making it one of
the oldest hospitals. It is also where the first college of nursing in the region was
established. Baguio General Hospital is also a teaching hospital. Medical
professionals do their internship in this hospital. Not only on the medical field, but
majority of the nursing schools here in Baguio and nursing schools in some
neighboring provinces are affiliated to this hospital. They do their practicum or
hospital exposure in this institution.
The study aims to raise health standards through the upgrading and
modernization of the facilities. The project components involve the construction
of new building healthcare and facilities, hospital equipment, furniture and
fixtures: provision of medical equipment including hospital beds and other
hospital facilities that involve entire development and identifying the services
required and overall delivery of service.
The main aspect of this study is to consider the design provisions of
Baguio City according to their climatic condition. Another thing that the proponent
is considering was the natural lighting and ventilation of the design project. The
proposed project for energy conservation related to the electricity, heat, light,

Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background l

sound and other form of physical energy in the diagnosis and treatment of
disease through environmental design.
Since Baguio City is now increasing in population due to larger number of
their tourism, this resulted to some infections, communicable and deadly
diseases that affect their younger age group. Thus the government addresses
priority to the growing population and increasing demands for a quality
healthcare service. These diseases are preventable but still theres a lot of
morbidity and mortality. Patients choose to seek consultation and admission on
other neighbor hospital because they have better equipment and facilities.
Hospitals are the most complex of all building types. Each hospital is
compromised of all wide range of services and functional units. Good hospital
design integrates functional requirements with human needs.
Nature has the ability to cure people faster in most natural ways. Since
Baguio City is a City of Pines and there are a lot of view that can help patients to
increase the speed of healing process, the researcher was inspired on how the
environment plays a vital role for the healing process of patients. Having a
healing garden in a hospital will help the patients reduce stress, re-humanize
health care and recover a measure of power and control. It will address not just
the medical needs but also the emotional, social, spiritual and psychological
needs of all users of the facility.
This study will promote quality hospital care services that will provide
patients a better health outcomes, efficient and effective medical care and
treatment of medical cases and promotion of good health. Reliable, immediate
and convenient patient care will be expected. Technical training for medical and
paramedical staff will be enhanced contributing to improved retention and future
Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background l

recruitment of additional staff. Thus, the product of this study will answer the
need for provision of adequate services and facilities for disabilities but will also
provide good health for more self-sufficient community.
1.3 Significance of the Study
The study was conducted by the researcher to address the needs of the
following individuals and institution:
To all the responsible residents of Baguio City, so they can have a new
and advance hospital that will meet their needs for facilities and equipments with
affordable services and quality medication.
To Department of Health, this may be helpful on their plan for modernizing
Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center (BCGHMC) and other
government hospitals.
To Batangas State University, for them to also know and give sense on the
needs of the country so they can cooperate and promote study that was
conducted by the students to help government officials in implementing their
projects.
To all students of all colleges, this may be beneficial to them not only as
an additional reference material but also to be updated on the government
projects that will be implemented.
To all architecture students, this may help them which regard with the
design consideration and space requirements about hospitals.
To all present and future researchers, this may be used as basis for further
research and reference of study on similar project or proposal which would like to
conduct.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
1.4.1 Project Objectives
General:

Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background l

 To upgrade the facilities, enhance its operational efficiency and

provide affordable recuperation and quality utilization for everyone
who needs medical easement, diversion, intensive care and
attention.
With this project, the government would be able to provide better
health care services to the public and provide access to more
modern facilities and efficient hospital operation.
Specific:
To upgrade and provide health services and facilities that will be
accessible and could accommodate increasing population.
To reduce morbidity and mortality from infectious and noncommunicable diseases.
To prevent poor health status, disease and disability through
investments in health promotion and health education.
To further improve the health care needs of the people in Baguio City.
To upgrade the quality of medical care services of the existing
hospital.
To be the role model for health care delivery in the City of Baguio.
To establish a viable partnership between private and public
government sectors in undertaking projects of health significance.
1.4.2 Design Objectives
General:
To design and establish a modern hospital structure that will meet the
standard requirements of a modern hospital that can accommodate a
number of people according to the demands of needing patients.
Specific:

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 To design a structure that would attract people from all walks of life
and be able to indulge into health activities by incorporating the
design structure with the changing world which is flexible enough to
evolve through time and timeless enough to age with grace.
To enhance the medical services of Baguio City General Hospital and
Medical Center (BCGHMC) through redeveloping the structure that
will create a habitable environment for the patients to restore their
state of wholeness.
To come up with a design that is socially and environmentally
responsible which would integrate with a sustainable, comfortable
and efficient design for its users.
To promote a hospital with functional spaces intended to train or
condition the body of patients by having a healing garden which will
incorporate nature or environment in faster recovery of patients in
most natural way.
To promote green approach on the structures by using alternative
construction materials that will help reduce the emission of
greenhouse gases.
To cooperate the design with the climatic condition and building
provisions in Baguio City
1.5 Statement of the Problem
As the population of Baguio City increases, there will be a lack of supply
with their health care centers. Thus the proponent is optimistic in modernizing
Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center to provide facilities and
promising quality of medical services for the residence of Baguio and their tourist.
1. Major Problems
How can the hospital provide better health facilities in the future as
the population increases?
Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background l

What will be the design and operational solution suit on planning

hospital facilities?

2. Minor Problems
How can be the hospital affordable to the general public?
How to lessen construction cost without sacrificing

the

functionality?
How will the garden premise contribute on the healing process of

the patients?
1.6 Theoretical Framework
To create architecture is to put in order. Put what in order. Function and
Form uniting in a modern way. ~ Le Corbusier
The design of the structure must be clearly define and analyze an effective
function and form. It reflects the distinct architectural character in a modern way
incorporating green architecture to boost the uniqueness of the proposed project.
There is a need for proper consideration and sincere study on how the design will
exist with a great unity and integrity between the form and function.
Once a design have purpose and function which relay with the solution on
problem, this result to honest and timeless form. Through proper planning of
spaces, one can create an environment that can heal and treat a person who is
in need of medical attention. A blank space when properly design will help
patients to recover faster. A patients environment should be conductive for their
health and condition.
1.7 Conceptual Framework

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Process
- Understanding and Identification of the needs
in redisigning hospital.
- Planning Consideration
- Human scale measurement and Hospital standards
Concept
- Green Approach or Green Architecture
- Healing through Nature (Healing Garden)
Output
- Modernized Baguio City General Hospital and
Medical Center (BCGHMC)
In

redevelopment

of

the

existing

hospital,

the

researcher

took

consideration the understanding and the identification of the need for redesigning
the existing building by gathering related information and organizing them,
conceptualization of the proposal based on the information gathered and creating
architectural solution. One of the biggest factors to consider in planning hospital
is to know the comfort of every patient. Spaces should be plan in accordance
with the human scale measurement and hospital standards to ensure the
feasibility of the proposal.
The combination of modern element and sustainable design along with
green architecture serves as the major design concept. It should compliment with
the culture, to the environment and in the people who will be served by the
hospital.
1.8 Scope and Delimitation

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This study will focus on the appropriate architectural planning and design
of a general hospital. Related and useful data and information are included in this
study.
-

Site Plan / Master Plan

Architectural and Planning Design of the structures within the proposal
Landscaping
Economic Feasibility

The scope and limitations of this study is only up to above mentioned. This
will not cover design and detailed drawing presentation regarding the engineering
field of study such as structural, electrical, mechanical and sanitary or other
utilities except for vital facts that would support the concept of planning and
design.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Contextual

Design. Design refers to the act of working out the form of something as

by making a sketch or outline or plan.

Disease. Disease refers to any deviation from or interruption of the normal
structure or function of any body part, organ or system that is manifested

by a characteristic set of symptoms and signs.

Emergency. Emergency pertains to an unforeseen happening or state of

affairs requiring prompt action.

Feasible. Feasible means capable of being done with means at hand and

circumstance as they are.

Hazard. Hazard pertains to a source of danger.
Hospital. Hospital means a place devoted primarily in the maintenance
and operation for the diagnose, treatment and care of individual suffering

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from illness, disease, injury of deformity of in need of obstetrical of other

medical or nursing care.

In- patient. In patient refers to a patient who stays in a hospital while

receiving medical care or treatment.

Morbidity. Morbidity pertains to the rate at which an illness or abnormality
occurs, calculated by dividing the number of people who are affected

within a group by the entire number of people in that group.

Mortality. Mortality refers to the death rate, which reflects the number of
deaths per unit of population in any specific region, age, group, disease or

other.
Out-patient. Out-patient refers to a patient who receives treatment at a

hospital as in an emergency room or clinic but not hospitalized.

Populace. Populace refers to the common people, measures that

composed population.
Utilization. Utilization refers to making use of a certain space or turning

into a profitable account or use.

Redevelopment. Redevelopment pertains to the act of improving by

renewing or restoring.
Sustainable. This means capable of being maintained at a steady level
without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological
damage.

Operational

Cardiology. Cardiology deals with disorders of the heart and blood

vessels.
Critical-care medicine or Intensive-care medicine. This refers to a branch
of medicine concerned with the provision of life support or organ system in
patients who are critically ill and who usually intensive monitoring.

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General Pediatrics. It refers to the branch of medicine that deals with the

medical care or infants, children and adolescents.

Government Hospital. Government Hospital refers to a hospital operated
and maintained either partially or wholly by the national, provincial,

municipal or city government or other political subdivision.

Hematology. It is concerned with blood, the blood forming organs and its

disorders.
Hospital Medicine. Hospital Medicine refers to the discipline concerned

with the general medical care of hospitalized patients.

Infectious disease. This is disease caused by biological agent such as

virus, bacterium or parasite.

Ophthalmology. It refers to the branch of medicine which deals with the

anatomy, physiology and disease of the eye.

Urology. This pertains to the surgical specialty that focuses on urinary

tracts of males and female.

1.10Acronyms
DOH (Department of Health)
BCGHMC (Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center)
OPD (Out-Patient Department)
OR (Operating Room)
ECG (Electrocardiograph)
EEG (Echoencephalography)
ICU (Intensive-Care Unit)
NSO (National Statistic Office)
OCPD (Office of the City Planning and Development)

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