Background of the Hospital

Adventist Hospital-Palawan was conceived in the late 1970s when the heavy influx of migrants
from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao was just beginning in Palawan. The rising and urgent need for
competent medical and dental services was then recognized. Hence, in August 1982, the Varonas,
followed by the Villalba and Serenio families, and later, Samon Pimentel and Tessie Gara, moved to
Puerto Princesa to commence the long and challenging job of starting a formal medical/dental ministry.

It was formally opened on October 10, 1982 as Palawan Medical Clinic, located at 33 Abad
Santos Street, Puerto Princesa City, simultaneous with the ground-breaking ceremony at the hospital’s
present location in Junction 2, San Pedro.

At the start, the workers at the clinic were handling two or three different jobs and were even
spending overtime at work most of the times. Post-graduate interns and med tech interns were later
requested from Manila Sanitarium and Hospital to help lighten the load of workers.

The Volunteer Health Professionals (VHP), an independent, non-profit Adventist Organization

based in California through Dr. Terry Schmunk, Dr. Eugene Hildebrand and Mr. Mahlon Harris; president,
medical director, and procurement officer respectively, of the said organization, enormously helped the
conception of this institution through donations of hospital equipment, medical and dental supplies, and
energetic promotion, advertising and coordination in the United States.

In 1983, the hospital and satellite clinics building plans, together with a feasibility study of the
projects, was submitted to a multi-sectarian, non-profit foundation based in Boon, West Germany --
EvangelischeZentralstelle fur Entrwicklungshilfe E.V. (EZE) -- also known as the Protestant Central
Agency for Development Aid, as an application for funding. And in March 1987, the application for
financial support from the EZE was approved and 1.575 million Deutsche Marks (almost US$1 million that
time) was donated. This provided the financial capital responsible for the rapid realization of its physical
structure. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), together with the Maranatha Flights
International (MFI), managed and supervised the hospital building project.

After the long, arduous task of the hospital building, Palawan Medical Clinic became known as
Palawan Adventist Hospital. The hospital was officially inaugurated on June 16, 1988.

Since then, the hospital steadily grew with acquisition of additional hospital facilities, equipment
and manpower.
 As years went by, the populace did not only increase in number but also in medical awareness so
much that demands for specialists accelerated. To meet this demand, the hospital added staff physicians
in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, General Trauma Surgery and Internal Medicine.
Accreditation of visiting consultants with different specialties was opened.

In 1996, the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation department of the hospital was opened.
Thedepartment accommodated rotation of Physical Therapy interns from Ago Medical and Educational
Center, Manila Sanitarium and Hospital and Holy Trinity College.

In order to reach less fortunate people far north and south of Palawan, the hospital conducted
medical outreaches in the form of Mobile Clinics. These not only gave physical cure but also spiritual
healing and added medical knowledge since during these outreaches; spiritual camp meetings as well as
health lectures were also provided. Those who were in the vicinity of the hospital also avail of free
medical services every second and fourth Mondays of each month, which was then rescheduled to
Thursdays every week.

The hospital not only catered the Palaweños, but also to the local and foreign tourists who were
interested to see the wonders of the “last frontier.” Modernization in communication is therefore a must,
just as fast yet excellent service is necessary. These are made possible by the advent of facsimile,
computers and internet.

All through the years, the Hospital maintained not only the commitment to deliver quality services,
but also a clean and green compound. As a result, the Hospital received a Special Recognition Award
from North Philippine Union Mission “for maintaining a most healthy and attractive environment; for
keeping the best manicured lawn among NPUM institutions; and for having well-maintained buildings and
facilities allowing PAH to project a prestigious and impressive personality to the public” in 1997 and in two
consecutive years (2000 and 2001), the Hospital also received the prestigious award from the City
Government as the “cleanest and greenest” institution in Puerto Princesa City.

Another remarkable milestone in the history of the Hospital was when it entered into a 20-year
Memorandum of Agreement with Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX), the developer and operator
of the Malampaya Deep Water Gas to Power Project on December 2, 1999. The agreement entails the
infusion by SPEX of some P68 million over the first two years to refurbish and upgrade to international
standards part of the existing accommodation and treatment facilities of the hospital. The five main
development components of the project were the construction and equipping of a new 7-bed capacity
Emergency Room, the upgrading and re-equipping of the Operating Rooms, the construction of the labor
and delivery rooms, provision for trauma and burn wards for in-patients suffering from accidents and
serious burns, and the acquisition of a new standby power generator.
 In April 2002, the Water Refilling Station started its operation which augmented the financial
income of the Hospital and in June of the same year, the Hospital entered into a Memorandum of
Agreement with Holy Infant Jesus College in Olongapo City to offer and conduct a Caregiver Training
Program using the facilities of the hospital as venue for lectures, laboratory and practicum.

But Holy Infant Jesus College later withdraws their Caregiver Training Program yet leaving the
Hospital the capability of operating one. So in September 2004, the Palawan Adventist Hospital opened
its first batch of Caregivers running up to the present, the 11 th batch together with Health Care Services
Course. In addition, the Food Factory started to operate which sells health products welcomed by many
due to the growing awareness of having good health by practicing a healthy lifestyle and eating plant-
based food.

Then the hospital contends for excellence in healthcare services as initiated by Don Weidemann, AHSA
(Adventist Health System-Asia) president. The Rosehall Management Consultancy was brought in to train
the administration and department heads in creating manuals to document the various processes
of the hospital. Finally, by the grace of God and the perseverance of all workers from the rank
and file to the supervisors and department heads and administration of the hospital who contributed
equitably to the effort, this hospital was certified ISO 9001:2000 compliant on December 28, 2005 by TUV
Philippines.

This means that the hospital’s healthcare services are at par with international standard
healthcare practices.

In 2008-2009, more hospital funds was dedicated for face-lifting and building expansion. First, the
11-Room Garden Suites were completed. Followed by the repainting of the ER, DR, and Hallways. The
fully-glassed façade made the entrance neat and elegant. The Clinical Laboratory upgraded its facility
and acquired new equipment. The Intensive Care Unit was opened equipped with machines and
manpower. A major renovation of the hospital followed primarily in the Dietary, Administrative offices, and
the Newborn Intensive Care Unit to meet the minimum requirements of the DOH for its application as a
Tertiary Care Hospital. Other services such as Marketing and Medical Social Service were also added to
enhance the efficiency of the company.

In 2010, the Hospital was conferred by the Department of Health the license to operate as
Tertiary Care Hospital, thus making a history as the first and only Tertiary hospital in the province of
Palawan. Last January 29, 2010 we have been re-accredited as an ISO 9001:2008 certified hospital.

Likewise PAH was recognized as an accredited institution to be included in the medical tourism
program of the DOH and DOT in partnership with our sister institution, the Manila Adventist Medical
Center.
 May 08, 2012, Palawan Adventist Hospital officially became known as Adventist Hospital-
Palawan since it was agreed by the top management to have a centralized company name among sisters
institution.

In 2015, the burn ward for inpatients was upgraded into a burn unit as part of nursing special
areas through our partnership with SPEX. On the same year, Caregiver Training Center also became
known as Technical Vocational Institute.

March 21, 2016 the Hearing Center and Dialysis Center was officially inaugurated.The Hearing
Center offers a wide array of services such as Newborn Hearing Screening; Hearing Test (PTAB/PTABS);
Tympanometry Test; Hearing Aid Fitting and Ear Impression/ Ear moulds.

Currently, the QMS officers and the top management are united in completing the requirements
for our re-accreditation as ISO 9001-2015 in year 2018.

God’s unfailing love is truly manifested as to how He took special care of this institution from its
humble beginnings and nurtured it to what it is now as a premier hospital and what it will still become.
Through the years, the abundance of heaven’s blessings was felt by each of the employees who
rendered unselfish services and the community who enjoyed the services administered to them. With
God’s help, Adventist Hospital-Palawan will continue “Sharing God’s Love through healing” as its mission
stated. With the aid of excellent health services and Christian love, the hospital will be able to face the
future with zeal and confidence.