Home Modernizing the San Pedro Hospital in Davao City in the Philippines to better serve the most vulnerable

Modernizing the San Pedro Hospital in Davao City in the Philippines to better serve the most vulnerable

Published on

11 February 2026

The San Pedro Hospital, founded in 1969 by the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity, is a key facility for the community of Davao City and the surrounding areas. Since its establishment, this Catholic hospital has looked after the poorest patients, providing affordable care for those who don’t have access to public hospitals due to overcrowding.

Since 2021, the Roncalli International Foundation has supported major works at this hospital to improve the care provided. Following renovations of the emergency room, pharmacy, and waiting rooms, the operating room was the next to be refurbished. However, the operating equipment had become obsolete and needed to be replaced.

In 2024, the hospital focused on acquiring new state-of-the-art medical equipment for the hospital’s five operating rooms with the support from the Foundation. This equipment has not only made it possible to improve the operating room’s productivity by 20%, but has also reduced waiting times for patients. What’s more, it is ensuring more accurate diagnoses and better post-operative follow-up, contributing to faster, more effective patient care.

The modernized equipment has enabled the hospital to increase its annual patient treatment capacity from 2,273 to 2,730 surgical patients, improving clinical results and quality of care.

Cancer treatment now provided by the hospital

At the same time, the hospital team identified emerging health needs within the community—particularly access to cancer care, which remains limited in Davao. In partnership with the Foundation, the hospital established a nuclear medicine unit in 2025. This new facility now provides affordable cancer diagnosis and treatment, offering competitive rates and helping low-income patients access government financial assistance. These services are not only saving lives, but also restoring hope and dignity to the local population.