October 29, 2025
Tzu Chi donates hospital equipment and other needs for QMMC halfway house
By Dorothy Castro
On October 24, Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines donated hospital equipment to Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) as part of its initiative to support patient care for indigent families.
A Level 3 government hospital providing emergency and ambulatory care to hundreds of patients daily, QMMC continues to serve Filipinos from various regions who seek affordable medical care.
“Every day, the number of our ER (Emergency Room) patients increases. Hence, these donations are very important,” said Dr. Maritess Ombao, the chief health program officer of QMMC Allied Health Professional Services, in gratitude.
Coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, patients and their families often bear the cost of traveling to QMMC, with the additional expenses for transient stays. Understanding this concern, QMMC launched a project to create a halfway house to provide patients’ families with a comfortable temporary shelter.
“This project is the first halfway house in a DOH (Department of Health) hospital, meant to accommodate families of patients coming from as far as Mindanao, as well as from Luzon and Visayas,” said Dr. Ombao.
When Tzu Chi entered into a formal Memorandum of Agreement with QMMC last September 4, the foundation assisted QMMC with additional materials needed for the halfway house. Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez then arranged for the donation of hospital equipment and other essentials.
In total, the donation comprised IV stands, canes, walking sticks, walkers, commodes, and wheelchairs for the hospital’s facilities. For the halfway house, Tzu Chi donated five bunk beds, five large outdoor umbrellas, and 590 Monobloc chairs for its waiting area.
“QMMC is very grateful for Tzu Chi’s donations. For the past years, we’ve had a very good relationship, especially with our patient referrals, as well as donations. We really appreciate the help of the Tzu Chi Foundation,” Dr. Ombao expressed.
Advancing its Mission of Medicine by extending compassion to patients and their families has always been Tzu Chi’s goal, and this partnership with QMMC is a testament to that commitment.
Representatives from Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) tour Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines volunteers around the hospital and its halfway house, following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on September 4.
QMMC Chief Medical Professional Staff Dr. Deborah Sales (left) discusses the need for a halfway house for the families of QMMC patients with Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (center) and Deputy CEO Peggy Sy Jiang (right).
On October 24, Tzu Chi facilitated the delivery of hospital equipment donations, as well as furnishings for the halfway house.
Tzu Chi staff members help carry the bunk beds to the QMMC hospital lobby.
These donated wheelchairs, walkers, and commodes are from Tzu Chi.
Tzu Chi volunteers check the condition of the outdoor umbrellas.
Tzu Chi volunteers Johnny Cheng (left) and Luis Diamante facilitate the donation of these materials.
Representatives from QMMC, led by Dr. Maritess Ombao (fifth from right), pose for a group photo with Tzu Chi volunteers during the donation turnover.