Dr. JP Royeca Hospital at 51: Time to Build the Hub-and-Spoke Healthcare System Gensan Needs"

The 51st foundation anniversary of Dr. Jorge P. Royeca City Hospital (DJPRCH) is more than just a celebration of longevity—it is a recognition of its indispensable role in the healthcare landscape of General Santos City. As the only tertiary public hospital in the city, it has been a beacon of hope for thousands of patients, a training ground for countless nursing students, and a vital institution that has evolved over the years to meet the growing demands of a rapidly expanding population. Having done my clinical nursing training here more than three decades ago, and even using this institution as the research locale for my MBA thesis, I have personally witnessed its transformation.

From its earlier years as the General Santos District Hospital, it has now grown into a more self-sustaining healthcare facility, fulfilling its vision of providing total quality healthcare to the people of General Santos City. However, the challenge now lies in the next 51 years—what kind of hospital should we envision for the future, and how do we ensure that DJPRCH remains at the forefront of public healthcare?

A Vision for the Future: The Hub-and-Spoke Model

With a population nearing one million, General Santos City requires a redefined healthcare strategy—one that moves beyond the traditional role of a lone public tertiary hospital bearing the full weight of the city’s healthcare needs. The most viable model for the city is a hub-and-spoke system, with DJPRCH as the central hub hospital and at least three primary public hospitals strategically placed in different parts (Mabuhay, Apopong &Calumpang) of the city as its spokes.

This model would decongest DJPRCH, ensuring that primary and secondary cases are managed at the spoke hospitals, while complex cases and specialty care are referred to the hub. This system would allow for better resource allocation, more efficient patient management, and an overall improved standard of care.

Establishing three primary public hospitals in the coming years is not an option but a necessity. As General Santos City grows, so do its healthcare demands. A centralized hospital like DJPRCH, without supporting facilities, risks being overwhelmed. The city government must act now to lay the groundwork for this expansion.

Utilizing Hospital Real Estate Efficiently

One of the pressing concerns for DJPRCH’s future is the proper utilization of its real estate. The current hospital’s land and buildings in Lagao must be exclusively for hospital use, with no public occupiers from national government agencies or other unrelated offices taking up space meant for medical services. Every square meter of the hospital’s property must serve its primary function—providing healthcare.

This means the local government must take decisive action to relocate national agencies currently occupying hospital land. This is not just about clearing space; it is about ensuring that every inch of the hospital’s property serves the city’s healthcare needs. More facilities, expanded wards, and specialized units must be prioritized over administrative offices that could be located elsewhere.

The Need for a Hospital Asset Management Strategy

To truly secure its future, DJPRCH must develop a Hospital Asset Management Strategy that will serve as a guidepost for future hospital managers. This strategy must address key aspects such as:

Infrastructure Development – Ensuring that the hospital continues to modernize its facilities and expand its capacity.

Financial Sustainability – Exploring innovative funding models, including public-private partnerships, to reduce reliance on government subsidies.

Human Resource Planning – Strengthening recruitment and retention efforts to attract top-tier medical professionals, ensuring competitive compensation and career development.

Technology Integration – Investing in digital health solutions, including electronic medical records and telemedicine, to enhance service delivery.

Disaster Preparedness and Resilience – Making sure that DJPRCH is equipped to handle crises, such as pandemics and natural disasters, by maintaining adequate stockpiles and emergency protocols.

A well-structured asset management strategy will not only optimize the hospital’s current resources but will also lay the foundation for long-term sustainability.

The Next 51 Years: Challenges and Opportunities

The next five decades will bring both opportunities and challenges to DJPRCH. The hospital will need to adjust to emerging health threats, technological advancements, and increasing patient demands. Some of the most urgent challenges include:

Expanding Bed Capacity – As the population grows, so will the demand for inpatient care. Expanding the hospital’s bed capacity (possibly, 500 bed capacity) must be a top priority.

Developing More Specialty Centers – The city lacks comprehensive specialty centers for cardiovascular health, and trauma services. These must be established within DJPRCH to reduce patient referrals to Davao and Metro Manila.

Attracting and Retaining Talent – High-performing doctors and nurses are often drawn to the private sector or overseas. DJPRCH must provide competitive incentives to retain top medical professionals.

Adapting to Public Health Trends – The rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders requires DJPRCH to enhance preventive healthcare services and expand public health programs.

Despite these challenges, DJPRCH also has tremendous opportunities ahead. As General Santos City continues to develop, DJPRCH can position itself as the leading tertiary public hospital in SOCCSKSARGEN, setting the standard for high-quality, accessible healthcare in the region.

The hospital’s role as a training institution for nursing students from various schools in the region must also be strengthened. By forging partnerships with universities, DJPRCH can develop innovative academic programs, support cutting-edge research, and establish clinical rotations that benefit both students and patients.

Moving Forward with a Clear Vision

The 51st anniversary of DJPRCH is a moment of reflection but also a call to action. The hospital has already achieved so much, evolving from the humble General Santos District Hospital into the modern Dr. Jorge P. Royeca City Hospital. However, its work is far from over.

The next 51 years will determine whether DJPRCH remains just a single tertiary hospital struggling to keep up with demand, or whether it transforms into the hub of a dynamic, multi-hospital network serving the entire city.

For this to happen, city leaders, hospital administrators, and healthcare professionals must collaborate to create a long-term healthcare roadmap that includes:

✅ Building the hub-and-spoke hospital system

✅ Maximizing hospital real estate for healthcare purposes

✅ Developing a comprehensive hospital asset management strategy

✅ Expanding specialty services and training programs

✅ Ensuring financial sustainability and workforce development

This is the time to dream big for DJPRCH. The people of General Santos City deserve a modern, well-equipped, and fully staffed public hospital system that meets their evolving healthcare needs.

As we celebrate 51 years of service, let us commit to the vision of DJPRCH as the centerpiece of a thriving healthcare system—one that will serve generations to come.