Japanese group eyes Cebu hospital as retirement facility

A group running a retirement and nursing home in Japan is now eyeing the Cebu Doctors’ South General Hospital (South Gen) in the southern Cebu town of Naga as a potential retirement facility.

”They want a place where it’s near the hospital and the sea,” Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal Jr., Cebu Doctors’ Hospital Inc. (CDHI) president, said.

Larrazabal said CDHI and the Aiko group of Japan are negotiating to have the group's retirees relocate to the hospital’s 70-bed fourth floor.

”It will be a trial run. But the Japanese are decided. They may be here in a couple of months,” he said.

While waiting for the plans to materialize, the fourth floor will undergo renovation and additional amenities will be put up.

He said CDHI is already contemplating on hiring Niponggo teachers and a Japanese cook.

Larrazabal said once the deal is inked, the nursing staff will have an opportunity to learn the Japanese culture and to speak Niponggo.

While the initial plan was for the Aiko group to hire some of South Gen’s nurses, the CDHI official fears this may cause a “culture shock” for the nurses.

Bringing Japanese retirees here will be a “win-win” situation to both parties.

Larrazabal said the partnership with the Aiko group is a step closer to CDHI’s realization of establishing a retirement village in southern Cebu.

”With the growing aging population, I can see that the Philippines, particularly Cebu, has bright prospects to cater to these retirees who are in need of good healthcare facilities and services,” he said earlier.

He said CDHI may utilize a portion of the one-hectare lot in Naga, where the 250-bed Cebu Doctors’ South General Hospital sits, for the retirement village or acquire other properties nearby.

There are also plans to construct a “mini mall” within the vicinity of the retirement village.

Larrazabal is optimistic that, in the near future, the healthcare sector will be among the province’s booming industries, along with property development and information and communications technology.

While some hospitals in Manila make good retirement facilities, he said Cebu has a stronger probability to attract the medical tourism market because of the province’s peace and order situation, better airport facilities, good telecommunications and the Cebuanos’ proficiency in the English language.

In the past years, CDHI has invested in building and improving its network of hospitals in the province, including Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, North General Hospital in Talamban, Cebu City and South Gen.

”We have committed our resources in building facilities that enhance the country’s medical industry,” Larrazabal said. (PNA)