THE ST. John Paul II building, the UST Hospital’s (USTH) 11-story extension, was partially opened to the public on April 30.
Master of the Order of Preachers Fr. Gerard Timoner III, O.P. led the Eucharistic celebration for the inauguration of the new building.
In his homily, Timoner said hospitals are part of evangelical work and institutions for preaching the gospel since taking care of the sick is both a corporal and spiritual work of mercy.
“By our care for the bodies of those who are sick, we are also taking care of their souls so that they may be affirmed that their bodies are sacred, that their bodies are holy,” said Timoner.
UST Hospital CEO Fr. Julius Paul Factora, O.P. said that with the opening of the extension building, UST Hospital wanted to “bridge the gaps” in the country’s healthcare system.
“The building itself will not be our legacy, but through this newest building, we plan to have a legacy that will improve not just our patient services but to emphasize, once again, that we are the premier teaching hospital in the Asian region, a legacy that invests and capitalizes on the expertise of our medical staff,” he said in his opening message.
The construction of the St. John Paul II building was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees in 2011 and broke ground in 2013.
It was originally set to open in 2020 but was delayed for several reasons, including the pandemic.
“Isang mahabang prusisyon at isang napaka-habang proseso ang pagtatayo ng building na ito na sinimulan pa noong quadricentennial. Mahigit isang dekada, samu’t saring mga dahilan ang matutukoy natin kung bakit inabot ng matagal kasama na ang disyenso at ang pagdating ng pandemya. Anuman ang mga dahilan, nagpapasalamat tayo sa araw na ito sa araw ng pagbubukas ng ilang bahagi ng gusali,” Ang said in his message during the inauguration.
Timoner led the unveiling of the commemorative marker of the building alongside Ang, UST Vice Chancellor Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, Jr., O.P., and Factora.
On the same day, Timoner, Factora and Pastoral director Fr. Arturo Prestin, O.P. led the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the bridge from UST Hospital’s San Vicente Ferrer Ward to the newly opened building.
It was followed by the opening of the building’s dermatology center, business office, clinical pathology and drug testing, blood bank and transfusion services for respiratory medicine, and the San Jose Ward.
The extension building will be fully operational by July 2022, Factora told the Varsitarian. Samantha Fatima C. Creencia
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