Chong Hua Hospital (CHH) of Cebu City was recently recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) as one of the country’s top hospitals in the 2022 Hospital Star Awards.
At the award ceremony held at JPark Island Resort and Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City, CHH received the DOH’s Exemplary COVID-19 Pandemic Responders award. They were among the only five hospitals nationwide with this accolade.
The Hospital Star Awards is an annual DOH-hosted ceremony that aims to appreciate medical institutions that strive to adhere to the highest medical standards and service quality. The hospitals are evaluated based on Safety & Infection Control, Service Provision, Customer & Employee Satisfaction, Community-based activities, and Quality Improvement. This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers of Mediocrity: The Best Pandemic Responders,” further evaluated the candidate hospitals’ capacity to cope with the challenges of the pandemic.
Chong Hua’s compliance with DOH guidelines and mandates, as well as its continued efforts to adapt amidst pandemic challenges such as medical supplies shortages, staffing, and new protocols, ultimately led to its win.
“This award from the DOH is a moment of affirmation and vindication for our hardworking staff: doctors, nurses, and other support personnel,” said an emotional Dr. Helen S. Po, Chief Executive Officer of CHH. “To know that our efforts are recognized, and ultimately felt, by the DOH and our patients, is more than enough compensation for the pain and sacrifices endured
by our frontliners, medical professionals, and healthcare partners who bravely risked life and reputation to put patients first.”
Dr. Po also pointed out how the pandemic and its aftermath has been challenging for the hospital, which endured financial distress, unfavorable public attention, and manpower shortages.
“We shall continue to draw strength from this redeeming milestone to meet the challenges ahead, just as we have weathered through different crises for over a hundred years. We shall do our part to usher in more hopeful times by upholding our most fundamental of values: Healing with Passion, Caring with Compassion,” she concluded.