Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center

Why was a children’s hospital in Manila transformed into an emergency hospital during World War II? The answer lies right here, at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center. The Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center has a rich history intertwined with the city of Manila. The hospital’s beginnings were humble. Originally, the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center started as the City Children’s Hospital in 1945. Housed in a borrowed school building, it served Manila’s youngest residents under the direction of Dr. Fe del Mundo. However, the Battle of Liberation in Manila changed everything. The hospital was quickly transformed into an emergency facility, providing crucial care to the wounded amidst the chaos of war. After the war, the hospital transitioned again. On August 1, 1945, it was handed over to the Department of Health and renamed North General Hospital. Its mission shifted to serving as a charity hospital, still under Dr. Fe del Mundo’s leadership, catering to the northern half of Manila’s population. The Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center continued to evolve. A nursing school opened in September 1945 to address the need for trained nurses. Dr. Jose Reyes took the helm as hospital director in 1948, successfully lobbying for government funds to construct a dedicated hospital building in San Lazaro Compound. The new North General Hospital, equipped with aid from the United States, opened its doors in October 1957. In 1965, the hospital was renamed in honor of Dr. Jose R. Reyes, commemorating his dedicated service. It continued to expand, adding new facilities and services under the leadership of subsequent directors. It eventually became the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center we know today, a tertiary level hospital and medical training center. The Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Manila. From a children’s hospital to an emergency ward, and finally a major medical center, it has continuously adapted to the needs of its community.