NICC Doctors' Hospital Soon to Rise in Naga City

A new tertiary hospital will soon serve the health care needs of Naga City and Camarines Sur residents.

The Naga Imaging Center Cooperative (NICC) has announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the soon-to-be constructed NICC DOCTOR’S HOSPITAL along Roxas Avenue (Diversion Road) and Carnation Street, Triangulo, Naga City on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 7:30 in the morning.  The hospital will feature latest diagnostic equipments, two presidential suites, five private suites, fifty-five private rooms, semi-private rooms, wards and doctors’ clinics, among others.

The ceremony will begin with a Holy Mass at 7:30 AM, with Rev. Fr. Rogelio Largoza as celebrant. The blessing of premises, unveiling of the hospital’s building perspective and the lowering of the time capsule will follow. To grace the occasion, NICC has invited Naga City Mayor Atty. John Bongat, DOH Regional Director Dr. Nestor F. Santiago, Jr. of the Center for Health Development in Bicol and DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo.

NICC, in undertaking the project, envisions a modern health care facility for all, regardless of economic status.  The hospital will serve as the primary catchment area of Naga City and Camarines Sur. While a reasonable income has to be attained for sustainability, NICC’s foremost concern is to provide comprehensive, affordable and quality health care service.

Construction of the hospital building is expected to be completed within a year.

NICC is a Naga-based service cooperative consisting of medical doctors, organized in June 2004. The initial membership was composed of 41 doctors headed by Dr. Olivia Tuy-Rances, a respected pediatrician. Registered with the Cooperative Development Authority with a capital of PhP 3.5M, NICC has assets amounting to about PhP 26M as of 2009. Membership now numbers to more than 100 with Dr. Francia Lim Antonio, as General Manager.

Complemented by a modern medical laboratory facility of a sister cooperative, St. Louise Laboratory, NICC operates a diagnostic facility at St. Louise Center along Mayon Avenue, Naga City.

NICC hopes to acquire a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the first ever in Bicol. This facility will serve patients in the region as well as those from the Samar provinces and Tagkawayan and Calauag towns in the Quezon Province.

Currently, NICC Board of Directors are Dr. Olivia Tuy-Rances, Chair; Dr. Ronald F. Cervantes; Dr. Imelda T. Reyes, Board Secretary; Dr. Charissa L. Divinagracia, Treasurer; Dr. Andrew C. Espiritu; Dr. Eden B. Fernando; Dr. Felipe Federico O. Pio, Jr.; Dr. Rizalina R. Ramos and Dr. Fe A. de los Reyes. (Gil Antonio)