Tondo Medical Center

WARNING: Long post — Our family’s painful experience at Tondo Medical Center We transferred our father from a private hospital in SJDM, Bulacan to Tondo Medical Center hoping he could continue his ICU care. He had been intubated for 2 weeks, and our trust was in his pulmonary doctor (affiliated with TMC) who helped us get an ICU slot quickly. For that, we are thankful. But that’s where the gratitude ends. From the ER alone, we already saw how chaotic things were. We waited 4 HOURS before being attended to because they were “waiting for the doctor’s order.” Most of the ER was manned by PGIs, and while I understand they are still learning, the speed and urgency were just not there for critical cases. Some staff were cold and even made us feel like we were bothering them whenever we asked for updates. We requested a PAY WARD because we wanted to make sure Papa got the best care possible, but apparently, it doesn’t matter if you pay — service was still the same. The ICU waiting area for families? Absolutely unacceptable. We were lumped into a mass waiting area with no cleanliness, no comfort, and no privacy. You witness all sorts of heartbreaking scenes — and yes, even how fast they remove a deceased patient from the ward or ICU. Nakakapanlumo. For 6 days, we stayed outside the ICU waiting for updates, allowed to see Papa only ONCE a day. Imagine that — once a day, for someone fighting for his life. I met other families there who told me that sometimes, the only time you’re called in is when the patient has already passed away. To make things worse, some staff talked to us with such bad attitude — no empathy, no patience, as if dealing with families in pain was just another task to tick off. A little compassion costs nothing, but in Tondo Medical Center, it seems to be in short supply. This hospital needs to seriously work on their facilities, communication, and — most importantly — the attitude of their people. Critical care isn’t just about machines and medicine. It’s about treating patients AND their families with dignity. Tondo Medical Center: We regret transferring our father here. Dirty facilities, slow ER, bad staff attitude, and ICU rules that keep you from seeing your loved one when they need you most. The “good reviews” online? Feels like a scam.