The Caraga Regional Hospital (CRH) proved that no calamity or health crisis could hinder progress as they advanced to the next level of the Performance Governance System (PGS) pathway on September 26.
The Department of Health (DOH) hospital was conferred the PGS Compliant Status during the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) Public Revalida. This democratic exercise validates the successful completion of thefour stages of the PGS, ISA’s good governance program, where enrolled organizations, including the DOH, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Department of Trade and Industry, showcase their progress in their transformation journey.
Led by CRH Medical Center Chief II, Dr. Cheryl A. Gotinga, the hospital shared its governance story,
beginning in 2019 with its Initiation into the PGS. On top of the demands of the governance framework, the
hospital faced the operational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The subsequent year,
the Caraga region endured the destructive force of Typhoon Odette, causing significant damage to its
facilities.
Nevertheless, Dr. Gotinga expressed that each crisis, one after another, has contributed to the institution’s growth, enabling it to serve the community with increased resilience and efficacy.
“I believe that despite some setbacks and challenges that we’ve encountered, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the onslaught of Supertyphoon Odette, we have come out more resilient and determined to be able to provide the most efficient, equitable, accessible, and affordable healthcare to the public,” she said.
On June 19, 2020, under RA 11472, CRH was granted approval to expand to a 500-bed hospital, a significant step towards promoting public health. The institution now positions itself as a 500-bed Level III hospital with four accredited residency training programs and four specialty clinics primarily serving Caraga by 2028.
Despite facing various challenges, CRH successfully met its objectives, achieving a notable 57.89% completion rate for its target deliverables. Early accomplishments include establishing a COVID-19 lab and isolation facility and inauguring the Operating Room-Delivery Room building, an 18-bed Intensive Critical Care Unit, and the CRH Molecular Laboratory in collaboration with the World Bank.
In adherence to its Human Capital roadmap, the Human Resource Office attained Level 3 accreditation for Recruitment, Selection, and Placement, along with Prime HRM Level 2 recognition for Performance Management on December 15, 2022. Additionally, the hospital received recertification in ISO 9001:2015 from the Certification International Philippines.
The hospital was also able to establish its Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC), a body comprising external stakeholders from different sectors who provide counsel and recommendations, initiate committee-driven programs, and connect CRH to individuals and organizations that could provide the
resources critical to implementing its roadmap. Proposed initiatives by the MSGC include community outreach programs like medical missions and feeding programs and the fully funded infrastructure project to establish HMO Wards in CRH, among others.
Following a thorough panel evaluation, Dr. Maria Linda G. Buhat, the revalida panel chair and former President of the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines, lauded the hospital for its outstanding performance.
“Thank you for the resilience of your people. Despite the calamities and COVID-19, you’re still continuing your PGS journey. That’s a great achievement,” Dr. Buhat said.
CRH intends to extend its programs beyond government mandates in line with its commitment to institutionalizing good governance. As the institution prepares for the third stage of the PGS pathway, it aims to Facilitate External Best Practice Sharing and explore diverse avenues for sharing best practices externally, fostering continuous improvement.
