Tour of Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital, Boracay’s Public Healthcare Facility

by Rica Velasco

Following the inauguration of its new emergency wing on March 13, 2026, Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital (CSTH) continues to enhance its role as Boracay’s only public healthcare facility. Medical Director Dr. Karl Lachica led us on a private tour of the hospital, offering a closer look at how this Level 1 facility is expanding its services within its current limits.

A graduate of West Visayas State University, Dr. Lachica brought a wealth of experience to CSTH in 2020. Having previously worked at the Boracay Lying-In Clinic and Ibajay District Hospital, his background in both community and district healthcare has shaped his approach to improving medical access on the island.   

The highlight of the visit was the new emergency wing, a vital upgrade to the island’s emergency response capacity. According to Dr. Lachica, the expanded layout improves patient flow. It allows staff to respond more efficiently to emergencies in a professional environment that reflects the needs of a world-class tourist destination.

The wing provides direct access for ambulances, allowing for rapid patient transfers. Along with emergency beds, the facility includes a trauma room for life-threatening injuries and an observation room for cardiac and stroke cases. Cardiac monitors and essential equipment are available on-site to support immediate intervention.

“Our goal is to stabilize patients here as quickly as possible,” Lachica explained. “If a case requires more advanced care, we refer the transfer to tertiary hospitals in Kalibo.”

The hospital currently has 25 beds, including wards and private rooms. It is equipped with operating and delivery rooms, a pharmacy and a cafeteria. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital also constructed a negative-pressure isolation room for infection control, using a ventilation system that prevents contaminated air from circulating to other areas.

Plans are underway for a state-of-the-art outpatient department with OB-GYN, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and surgical services. Additionally, a dedicated mental health room is in development; Dr. Lachica has completed training under the WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme to strengthen the hospital’s ability to manage such cases.

Ciriaco Hospital is staffed by resident physicians and consultants specializing in internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and anesthesiology. This includes top provincial consultants such as Dr. Greg Ardenia, a specialist in endocrinology and internal medicine.

Of the nine resident doctors, two are on duty 24/7. Consultants remain available even when not physically present, supported by a standard team of technicians and support staff.

Another vital stop on the tour was the BEST Clinic (Boracay Enhanced Services and Treatment). Established in 2022, the clinic serves as the island’s HIV treatment hub, currently managing over 100 active patients.

Patients receive lifelong antiretroviral therapy, laboratory monitoring, and mental health counseling free of charge. The clinic also provides rapid HIV testing, condoms, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). “We want patients to feel comfortable coming here and ensure they receive both medical care and the support they need,” Lachica said.

Dr. Lachica also highlighted improvements in diagnostic capabilities. Through partnerships with consignors, the hospital laboratory now uses automated machines for faster, more reliable testing.

CSTH now offers GeneXpert and Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) testing for latent tuberculosis, one of only three such machines in Western Visayas. Another major upgrade is the site-integrated oxygen generation system, which supplies 50 outlets for just ₱900 a day, eliminating the need for tanks transported from the mainland.

Upcoming additions include a life-saving hyperbaric chamber donated by TIEZA for diving-related injuries and other pressure-related conditions common on island destinations; advanced imaging: CT scanner, 2D echo, ultrasound and mammography unit.

.In terms of sustainable efforts, funding for a medical waste decomposer and solar panels has been installed to expand renewable energy use as services grow.

Regarding the emergency response flow chart that Boracay Sun News had requested from the Municipal Health Office and published in the Feb-March ‘26, Dr. Lachica explained how various agencies coordinate. Under the system, the  MDRRMO typically provides the initial response to emergency calls and transports patients to CSTH for assessment and stabilization.

“Our role is to make sure patients are properly assessed and stabilized. That is why the hospital remains the first stop for emergency cases on the island,” Lachica said.

“In practice, the process is very similar to the chart,” he noted. “Coordination between responders and the hospital is very important.” Hotels activate their own health and safety officers, some of whom are medical staff, to assess patients and call for transport when necessary.

A significant hurdle remains in the lack of a centralized administrative structure for emergency responders and ambulance services. Because these groups operate independently and are not under the hospital’s direct supervision, training standards, equipment levels, and operational protocols are not currently aligned.

“Emergency response on the island involves several groups working independently," Dr. Lachica noted. "Improving coordination between these responders and the hospital is essential to making the entire system more efficient.” 

The tour provided a clearer understanding of the hospital’s current capabilities and the significant improvements underway. From expanded diagnostic services to the newly inaugurated emergency wing, several initiatives are already in motion to strengthen healthcare access on the island. Even as a Level 1 hospital, CSTH continues to play an essential role in providing immediate medical care for Boracay.