New oncology unit brings cancer care closer to Quezon patients

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino Newly installed dialysis stations at QPHN–Quezon Medical Center expand treatment capacity for kidney patients as the...

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino

Newly installed dialysis stations at QPHN–Quezon Medical Center expand treatment capacity for kidney patients as the hospital strengthens specialized healthcare services in Quezon Province. (QPHN-QMC)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Access to specialized healthcare expanded in Quezon Province with the opening of a new oncology unit and the expansion of the dialysis center at the Quezon Provincial Health Network–Quezon Medical Center (QPHN-QMC). The new facilities add cancer treatment and kidney care capacity at the province's largest government hospital.

For many cancer patients, specialized treatment previously meant traveling to Laguna, Batangas or Metro Manila for consultations and continuing care. The new oncology unit now allows patients to access those services within Quezon through a dedicated treatment facility at QPHN-QMC.



Gov. Angelina "Helen" Tan said many cancer patients from Quezon previously sought treatment in neighboring provinces due to limited local oncology services. She described the new unit as a step toward expanding specialized care within the province.

"Ang daming displaced na patients natin. Especially yung sa cancer natin, ang lalayo ng pinupuntahan nila, pumupunta ng Laguna, ng Batangas, ng Metro Manila, just to avail yung mga services na yan. So we hope ito yung simula at mag-expand yung ating services," Tan said.

The unit handles patient assessment, treatment and follow-up for individuals diagnosed with cancer. The facility provides consultations, treatment and follow-up care for cancer patients.

Before the unit opened, many cancer patients traveled outside Quezon to access specialized treatment. The facility provides consultations, treatment and follow-up care for cancer patients.

The dialysis center expansion accompanied the launch of the oncology unit. The two facilities serve patients undergoing cancer treatment and those requiring regular dialysis.

Meanwhile, the expanded dialysis center added treatment capacity for Quezon residents who depend on regular dialysis sessions. QPHN-QMC has recorded increasing demand for dialysis services at the province's main government hospital.

Tan said the provincial government has continued expanding services at QPHN-QMC in response to growing healthcare needs. She cited the oncology unit and dialysis center expansion among the hospital's recent additions.

"Yung expansion ng dialysis center, yan yung mga basic pa sa tingin natin dahil sa sobrang daming nangangailangan. Parang naging basic na siya na kailangan dahil patuloy na dumarami ang mga pasyenteng umaasa sa dialysis para sa kanilang gamutan," she said.

Cancer treatment and dialysis are among the medical services that often require repeated hospital visits over months or years. Those demands have increased pressure on government hospitals to expand specialized treatment capacity closer to patients' communities.

QPHN-QMC continues to serve as the province's main referral hospital for specialized treatment. The addition of the oncology unit and expanded dialysis center increases its capacity to handle two of the most resource-intensive areas of patient care.