Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital (VCEH) has broadened its range of medical and diagnostic services after obtaining Level 1 hospital accreditation from the Department of Health (DOH).
The city’s Public Information Office confirmed that the DOH issued the Level 1 classification on July 30, elevating VCEH from its previous infirmary status. Local officials formally acknowledged the milestone during a ceremony held on Wednesday, September 16.
Following the upgrade, VCEH can now conduct chosen elective major surgeries, administer anesthesia, run a designated operating room, deliver Level 1 imaging services, and manage an expanded outpatient department.
Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian emphasized that local authorities intend to leverage these enhanced services to lighten the burden on patients seeking treatment.
“Tuwing bumibisita po ako ng ospital, isa lang po ang observation ko…hindi po lahat ng pumupunta sa hospital ay masaya, lahat ay dahil may pinagdadaanan sila,” he said.
“That is why it is the responsibility of the Valenzuela City government and your mayor to make things easier and lessen the burden felt by Valenzuelano families. We want you to feel like you are in a private hospital when you enter—and we have achieved that,” Gatchalian added.
First opened as an infirmary in 2012, VCEH underwent major infrastructure improvements starting in June 2023, which included renovating its primary building and constructing a multi-level parking structure.
The updated facilities were completed and launched in June 2025 to accommodate the expansion.
Alongside the hospital’s upgrade, the Valenzuela HOPE Molecular Laboratory expanded its testing capacities. The unit can now analyze diagnostics for arboviruses, human papillomavirus (HPV), leptospirosis, and various viral respiratory illnesses.
To further streamline public health services, Gatchalian outlined upcoming plans to fully digitize medical records and transactions across local healthcare centers to reduce patient wait times.