By Jay B. Laurino Mayor Anthony “Piwa” Lim visits the City Health Office–Outpatient Department at the annex building to observe the 24/7 OPD...
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| Mayor Anthony “Piwa” Lim visits the City Health Office–Outpatient Department at the annex building to observe the 24/7 OPD operations. (Tayabas City CICRO) |
TAYABAS CITY, Quezon — Public healthcare services in Tayabas City have been strengthened with the continued rollout and expansion of a 24-hour outpatient department (OPD) at the City Health Office. Patients can now access free consultations and other basic medical services at any time of the day.
Mayor Anthony “Piwa” Lim said improving healthcare services is one of his main priorities at the start of his administration. He ordered the implementation of round-the-clock outpatient services to ensure continuous and immediate care for residents.
The 24/7 OPD is designed to provide treatment and management for medical conditions that do not require hospital confinement. It aims to give residents a place to seek care right away without needing to go to hospitals.
The program grew out of what he saw during the campaign period while visiting different communities. Some residents were not going to hospitals even when they were already sick because they could not afford consultation and treatment expenses.
“’Yon po ay nag-umpisa no’ng ako’y nangampanya no’ng nakaraan at kasama po ’yon sa 10-point agenda ko. No’ng umiikot po ako, nakita ko na may mga kababayan na hindi nagpupunta ng ospital kahit masama ang pakiramdam dahil kulang sa pambayad, kaya naisip ko na ito ang dapat gawin kapag tayo’y naupo.”
Lim also pointed to the need to expand both staffing and availability of services to support the program. He said the increase in doctors allows the city to respond to patients more quickly at any hour.
“Makapagbukas ng OPD na makakaalalay sa ating mga kababayan anumang oras, lalo na kapag masama ang pakiramdam. Kahit gabi o madaling araw ay maaari silang magpunta dahil mayroon tayong sampung doktor na aalalay, mula sa dating dalawa lamang.”
The 24/7 outpatient clinic was first opened on October 1, 2025 at the old municipal hall annex building. In its first week of operations, from October 1 to October 7, a total of 980 patients were recorded to have received free consultation and treatment.
The City Health Office also increased its number of doctors to support the program. The number of doctors rose from two to ten, with some coming from large hospitals who volunteered to help provide services.
Patients can go to the City Health Office at any time of the day or night under the expanded service. Free consultations are available, along with laboratory tests and medicines for Tayabas residents.
Non-residents may still receive consultations but will be given prescriptions for medicines instead. This setup allows the city to prioritize free medicines for residents while still offering access to care.
Aside from consultations, the OPD is equipped with laboratory services and basic emergency care for patients who need immediate attention. The facility also includes private rooms where patients can be observed and given initial treatment.
The OPD is set to transfer to a larger and more comfortable site at the former isolation facility in Barangay Mateuna. It is also a PhilHealth-accredited Yakap Clinic and part of plans to improve services while preparing for a city hospital.
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