The Philippine Orthopedic Center

At the corner of Maria Clara and Banawe Street, Quezon City, stands the National Orthopedic Hospital (NOH).  It occupies about one-fourth of the whole block where the ICM’s St. Theresa’s College had been established. 

According to its history, the National Orthopedic Hospital, now known as Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC), was originally established in 1945 by the Americans.  It was first located in Mandaluyong, Rizal, and known as the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU) No. 1, whose primary purpose was to take care of the civilian casualties during the time of liberation in Manila and its suburbs.

Years after, it was turned over to the Philippine government, which redirected it to look after accident victims and orthopedic cases.  Its name was later on changed to Mandaluyong Emergency Hospital (MEH) and afterwards, to National Orthopedic Hospital (NOH).  In 1963, the hospital was relocated to Quezon City.  Its bed capacity was increased from 200 to 500 then to 700.  Subsequently, it was re-named National Orthopedic Hospital-Rehabilitation Medical Center (NOH-RMC) in 1982, specializing in treating orthopedic and traumatic cases.  By virtue of Batas Pambansa No. 301 and Republic Act 6786, it was finally named Philippine Orthopedic Center in 1989. 

So then, what is its relation to the Camillians?

Do you know that one of our Camillian confreres became the Chaplain of this Hospital?  And do you know that until now, many of its employees still remember the said chaplain?  He is none other than, Fr. Alberto Roman, MI, who served as a chaplain for three years in the early 80’s – a clear manifestation then that The Philippine Orthopedic Hospital had experienced the Camillian touch.

The hospital is thus not a new apostolate for us Camillians.  Early on in the history of Camillian presence in the Philippines, this hospital had already become one of the places where Camillian scholastics and college seminarians participate in our service to the sick.  However, at present, only college seminarians are actively serving there.  The nature of their apostolate is primarily patient visitation, though there are times they do some menial jobs like mopping the floor and other chores depending on the needs of the patient.  Wearing white polo shirts and black pants, they move in and out of the wards as Camillians striving to bring the ever present love of Christ to the sick.