The National Center for Geriatric Health–Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (NCGH-JRRMMC) held a daylong tribute to honor the country’s senior citizens on Friday, marking its 15th founding anniversary and reaffirming its dedication to providing comprehensive, accessible care for the aging population.
The event, themed “Panangdayaw Kadagiti Señorës Ken Señoras: 15th Year Tribute to Our Elders,” drew inspiration from Ilocano-Hispanic culture to celebrate the dignity and valuable contributions of older Filipinos. It took place at the NCGH Covered Court within the Malacañang Complex in San Miguel, Manila.
JRRMMC Chief Dr. Wenceslao Llauderes emphasized the center’s vision to become the country’s apex hospital for elderly care, fully equipped with specialized facilities and programs designed to meet the healthcare needs of an increasingly aging population.
“Ito yung ospital (This is the hospital) that really addresses the needs of our elderly. With this, we have a specific hospital that will be able to cater to their needs and let them feel that they are still part of the services of our government,” Llauderes said.
Among the highlighted services were the hospital’s senior daycare program, which supports the mental wellness of older adults, and its rehabilitation medicine unit, which aids patients recovering from strokes and other degenerative diseases.
These services, along with maintenance medications for chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis, are provided free of charge to senior citizens, according to Llauderes.
“We want to be the apex hospital that becomes the hub of all elderly-related services, from preventive care to inpatient treatment,” he added, noting that the facility currently attends to around 150 to 200 elderly outpatients daily.
The anniversary celebration also showcased NCGH-JRRMMC’s full spectrum of geriatric services, including outpatient consultations, diagnostic testing, laboratory procedures, and specialized care in cardiology, neurology, urology, ENT, gynecology, dermatology, ophthalmology, and oncology.
With an estimated senior citizen population of 10 to 20 million Filipinos, the center continues to expand its mission as a national center of excellence in geriatric healthcare.