Bantayan District Hospital has expanded its surgical services after its in-house medical team performed the hospital’s first laparoscopic cholecystectomy on Aug. 19.
The procedure marks another step toward providing specialized medical care on the island, reducing the need for some patients to travel to mainland Cebu for treatment.
Unlike visiting surgical missions previously conducted in the area, the latest operation was performed by the hospital’s own doctors, nurses and operating room personnel using its newly acquired laparoscopic tower, according to Capitol Public Health consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan.
The procedure followed the hospital’s first laparoscopic appendectomy on July 24, another milestone in the development of its surgical services.
Catalan described the Aug. 19 operation as “another important step in strengthening Bantayan’s permanent surgical capacity” and bringing necessary treatment closer to patients.
She also emphasized that modern medical equipment must be matched with trained healthcare workers who can operate it effectively.
“New equipment becomes truly meaningful when it is placed in the hands of capable healthcare workers and used to care for our patients,” Catalan said.
She congratulated the hospital’s doctors, nurses, operating room personnel and other staff members who took part in the procedure.
A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes the gallbladder, an organ beneath the liver that stores bile produced by the liver.
The procedure is commonly used to treat gallstones and related complications, including gallbladder inflammation.
During the operation, surgeons make several small incisions in the abdomen and use a small camera and specialized instruments to remove the gallbladder.
The minimally invasive approach generally involves smaller incisions and may result in less pain and a shorter hospital stay compared with open surgery. However, doctors determine whether the procedure is appropriate based on each patient’s condition.
Catalan also credited the Department of Health for supporting the Cebu Provincial Government through its Post-Residency Deployment Program, which helps deploy trained specialists and expand access to advanced medical services in communities outside major urban centers.
The latest procedure adds to Bantayan District Hospital’s growing capacity to provide specialized surgical care within the island.
“Padayon, Bantayan!” Catalan said.
Photo courtesy of Bantayan District Hospital
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