Camillians in QMMC

The Camillian scholastics assigned to do their apostolate at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) enjoy the distinct advantage of short and easy travel to their apostolate area.  QMMC is located in a neighboring barangay and a ten to fifteen minute drive is all it takes to get there.

This health facility stands on an elevated ridge overlooking the Marikina Valley.  When it opened on August 15, 1953, it was known as “Labor Hospital” because of the involvement of the Department of Labor in its establishment.  Organized as part of the amelioration program of President Elpidio Quirino, it became the first government hospital in Quezon City and aimed to reach out to the sick and provide the best of services.  On August 15, 1964 the hospital was renamed as Quirino Memorial General Hospital and then Quirino Memorial Medical Center in 1997.  With its 250 to 350 bed capacity it services not only the Quezon City residents and immediate community but also the neighboring towns of Marikina, Antipolo, San Mateo, Montalban, Caloocan, Novaliches and even the nearby provinces of Laguna, Bulacan, and Cavite.

For several years now, QMMC has been an apostolate area for some Camillian scholastics.  On designated weekdays, they go there to visit and talk with the ward patients and their watchers.  They also assist in the administration of the sacraments and the celebration of Sunday Masses.

In a similar way, CPE students of the St. Camillus Pastoral Healthcare Center are privileged to have QMMC as a place where they may engage in pastoral counseling among the sick, their watchers, and even nurses at times.  CPE students in the past three years have had this opportunity.

Dra. Ivy Reside, head of the QMMC accreditation office, has expressed appreciation for the Camillian presence in QMMC and she hopes that the scholastics and CPE students won’t get tired because they are needed in bringing holistic healing to the sick.