Manila's Ugliest Hospital

Based on a survey commissioned by the London Financial Times, Quezon City (or simply QC) was regarded as one of the top 10 Asian Cities of the Future. It was ranked 7th among more than 200 Asian cities surveyed, with Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei in 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. Both the national and the local government are in the process of converting that expanse of squatters along EDSA (near TriNoma) into a modern Central Business District (CBD) – something I have always envisioned before. QC is considered as the richest city in the country in terms of current assets, cash in banks share of internal revenue allotment (IRA), gross income, and gross net income by the Commission on Audit. QC has been showing no sign of reluctance or ease as it continues to invest on and support infrastructure, job creation and businesses.

But not all that glitters are gold. Yesterday, I’ve seen one of the most disappointing actualities this city hides: the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH). It is, by a mile, the ugliest hospital I’ve ever seen. It’s so surprising that the country’s richest city failed to construct a kick ass hospital or medical institution that would truly characterize its magnificence as a leading city. QCGH sucks – the archaic appearance, the gloomy ambience, the smell, the outdated mode of operation and, most significantly, the unprecedented unfriendliness of the staff. If QC is really poised as a City of the Future, all services has to be in balance. The people will not be blinded by big malls or tall buildings, they don’t benefit from these brews. But medical services and other small things directly affect their daily lives and could change their views and impressions about the government.