MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — Nurses at the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center (BPMC) are introducing new approaches to healthcare that aim to improve service delivery and reach more patients across the province

Marilou M. Lapuz, acting chief nurse and emergency medical technician, emphasized that nursing is not just a job but a calling driven by empathy and commitment.

“Each of us carries stories that may not always be seen in the news, but touch lives every day,” she said during an episode of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Bukidnon Interaction aired on 14 radio stations across the province.

Lapuz said BPMC has enhanced patient care by implementing updated systems and technology designed to address patient concerns and expedite services.

One key improvement is the integration of PhilHealth benefits at the emergency room, which allows patients to access swift assistance.

“The hospital has also opened the Governor’s Corner, where frontline staff welcome families, explain procedures, and guide them through the hospital flow, reducing confusion and long lines,” Lapuz said.

Expanding care beyond the hospital

Lapuz stressed that healthcare extends beyond hospital walls. “To reach remote communities, BPMC has started offering telemedicine services, enabling patients to consult doctors via video calls, phone calls, or messaging apps.”

Barangay health centers with smartphones can now connect directly to BPMC physicians, who assess symptoms, offer guidance, and determine whether a hospital visit is necessary. This service provides remote residents with access to professional medical advice without the need for costly travel to the city.

In addition to hospital care, Lapuz noted that BPMC has trained community members in life-saving techniques, such as hands-only CPR and first-aid, taught in classes designed for local responders. These efforts earned the hospital a Trailblazer Award from the Department of Health.

She also highlighted the patient transport vehicles (PTVs) distributed to barangays by Governor Rogelio Neil Roque. These vehicles are now vital for transporting residents in isolated areas to medical facilities.

“Proper training for barangay responders will make the PTV system even stronger,” Lapuz said, emphasizing the importance of equipping local health workers to respond quickly during emergencies.

Testing their courage

Lapuz recalled the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when healthcare workers had to adjust quickly to an unprecedented situation.

“We were unprepared at first, but our Health Emergency Management System guided us. Nurses stood firm, working long hours away from families, wearing layers of PPE [personal protective equipment], managing overflowing wards, and carrying the emotional weight of patients fighting for breath. Still, we reported for duty—day after day—because others depended on us,” she said.

A profession driven by commitment

Lapuz described nursing as both a “science and an art,” grounded in compassion and dedication.

“Our dedication cannot be extinguished. I know that behind every recovery, every saved life, and every hopeful family is a nurse who chooses compassion over comfort. In wards, emergency rooms, and remote barangays, Bukidnon’s nurses continue to innovate and heal. Their hands may be tired, but their resolve is steady, proving that nursing remains a profession powered not only by skill, but by heart,” she said. (Michael B. Daming/RLRB/PIA-10/Bukidnon)