Beyond medicine, it is the care that provides comfort and empowerment, which genuinely makes a difference when health is most vulnerable. At the heart of every patient’s desire for quality care is the need to feel respected and understood. When health and individual concerns are met with genuine attention, it builds deeper trust and lasting satisfaction.

In an exclusive interview, Dr. Roehl Salvador, Chairman of the Department of Surgery and the Committee on the Operating Room Complex at Manila Doctors Hospital, shared insights into the institution’s drive for excellence in surgical care. A leading figure in the field, Dr. Salvador spearheads surgical operations and continues to advance surgical services and facilities. In August 2024, MDH unveiled a major renovation of its Operating Room Complex, expanding from 10 to 14 operating rooms to better accommodate modern techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic surgery. This innovation reflects the hospital’s commitment to delivering efficient, patient-centered care through advanced technology and streamlined services, while prioritizing patients’ comfort and convenience.

“We believe that all disciplines of surgery are moving toward minimal and robotic approaches. That is why we provide the necessary infrastructure to safely house this equipment, ensuring the machines are securely stored and function efficiently,” said Dr. Salvador, emphasizing their commitment to patient safety and the future of medicine.

MDH aims to provide patients with a seamless, one-stop service experience. To achieve this, they are not only increasing the number of operating rooms but also upgrading the equipment. Significant investments are being made in minimally invasive surgery, and the hospital is actively pursuing the acquisition of a robotic system to enhance its robotic surgery capabilities. This expansion extends beyond the operating rooms to encompass the full range of surgical services offered.

An additional advantage lies in staying at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. The challenges in surgical practice are constantly evolving. One of these is finding the right experts —not everyone who is highly skilled and well-trained demonstrates the necessary compassion and diligence. There is a need to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of surgical techniques and the evolving understanding of patient care.

According to Dr. Salvador, today’s patients are more empowered than ever. In the past, they would simply come to the hospital for treatment; now, they are regarded as active partners in improving the quality of care. The challenge, he notes, is finding meaningful ways to involve patients in the planning process, ensuring that every decision made prioritizes their well-being.

Moreover, he also emphasized that the hospital’s core principle in patient care is to first do no harm and to enhance each patient’s well-being and quality of life through surgery.

Dr. Salvador emphasized that patients should have a safe and meaningful experience—one they’ll remember not for the illness, but for the care they received. “They must have a safe, pleasurable journey that is worth remembering. They will forget the misery. They will forget the disease. They will only remember the care that was given to them,” he shared, underscoring the importance of compassionate service.

He noted that actively engaging patients to gather feedback plays a crucial role in shaping both the hospital’s infrastructure and culture; each operating space has been expanded to meet the demands of modern procedures, ensuring greater comfort and safety during surgery. What truly elevates the patient experience, however, is the integration of essential services—patients no longer need to move from floor to floor to settle bills or access the pharmacy. Everything they need is now within reach, creating a seamless, comprehensive care approach.

Providing comprehensive surgical care is essential to meeting the diverse needs of patients. This care extends beyond the surgical procedure itself to include pre-operative evaluations, pain management, emotional support, and rehabilitation services. The care even goes beyond the hospital walls and extends to home care, where value-added services are offered from take-home medicines to delivery of medicine refills, medical supplies, follow-up laboratory procedures, all done in the comfort of patients’ homes—all tailored to respect each patient’s cultural context, economic situation, and unique health conditions.

The goal is to create meaningful change—patients may come in with blurred vision and leave with clarity. They strive to deliver care that is not only effective but also compassionate, comfortable, and affordable. They don’t just treat patients—they care for them, as one would care for family or friends. This deep sense of compassion defines the hospital’s culture.

At Manila Doctors Hospital, they strive to continuously uphold a culture of excellence, compassion, and dedication to patient care, driven by a commitment to deliver meaningful, affordable, and high-quality services. As Dr. Salvador stated, “We will pursue excellence. We will pursue innovation. We will pursue cutting-edge technology to provide the best for our patients.”

To learn more about Manila Doctors Hospital and its services, visit https://www.maniladoctors.com.ph/ or contact their Customer Care Hotline at (+632) 8558-0888.