New Mendero facilities bring faster diagnostics, healthcare closer to North Cebu communities

CONSOLACION, Cebu — Getting advanced medical diagnostics no longer has to mean a long trip to Cebu City for many residents of Northern Cebu, with Mendero Hospital now offering upgraded imaging technology and mobile healthcare services in Consolacion.

Photo by Cebu Buzz and Beyond

The hospital recently launched and blessed its new Radiology Center and Mobile Clinic, expanding its capacity to serve patients from nearby communities. 

At the heart of the new radiology facility is a 128-slice CT scanner, replacing the hospital’s former 16-slice unit. 

Dr. Samuel Mendero III said the new machine incorporates artificial intelligence (AI), allowing the hospital to perform CT scans in less than five minutes. 

He said the AI-enabled technology also provides the capability of a higher-slice system, while allowing the hospital to accommodate more patients. 

Mendero said the hospital currently handles an average of eight to 12 CT scans a day, but the new equipment could increase capacity to at least 24 scans daily, with the potential to reach 30 to 40 depending on demand. 

 

The upgrade is particularly significant for a hospital whose patients largely come from communities north of Cebu City.  

Mendero said about 30 percent of their patients are from Consolacion, while another 20 to 30 percent come from Liloan. Others are from Danao, Compostela, Mandaue and farther areas of Cebu.

Photo by Cebu Buzz and Beyond

For Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan-Viscayno, representing the Cebu provincial government, the expansion addresses a practical concern in healthcare: getting patients the care they need without unnecessary travel. 

 “In healthcare, minutes matter,” she said, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and innovation in providing quality services to Cebuanos. 

Consolacion Mayor Teresa “Nene” Alegado likewise described the new radiology facility as vital to the community, particularly given the number of residents who need diagnostic services. 

She said having such services within Consolacion means patients can undergo proper evaluation before treatment without having to travel to the city. 

The hospital’s expansion also extends beyond its physical facility. Its newly introduced Mobile Clinic is designed to bring basic healthcare and diagnostic services directly to communities, particularly patients who may find it difficult to visit the hospital. 

They are now coordinating with local government units and health maintenance organizations for medical caravans, with schedules and locations still being finalized. 

A basic mobile clinic package is priced at P650 and includes services such as X-ray, urinalysis, complete blood count and physical examination. 

Additional services can be arranged depending on the requirements of the community or organization. 

Mendero said affordability remains part of the hospital’s approach, with the facility aiming to keep its rates at least 15 to 20 percent lower than those of other hospitals. 

The developments come as Mendero Hospital continues to rebuild and expand following damage caused by calamities, including the destruction of its laboratory and CT scan facility during the November 2025 typhoon Tino, according to Mendero. 

Instead of simply replacing what was lost, the hospital opted for a significant upgrade, moving from a 16-slice to a 128-slice CT scanner. 

Mendero said the experience reinforced the hospital’s commitment to treating setbacks as opportunities to improve its services.

More developments are also being considered, including additional suite rooms, more dialysis chairs and a possible MRI facility.

The hospital’s long-term goal, Mendero said, is to strengthen its position as a major medical center for Northern Cebu so residents can access more specialized healthcare closer to home. ###