Health Update: Healing the healer: Wellness spaces helping Ilocos health workers recharge – What Experts Say

In a setting often defined by urgency and long hours, the quiet hum of a massage chair signals a shift in priorities at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC).

More than a comfort feature, it reflects a broader institutional effort to address a critical issue in Philippine healthcare: the well-being of frontline workers.

Recognizing that exhausted health workers affect patient care quality, ITRMC is placing workforce wellness at the center of hospital operations—an approach that aligns with national goals of strengthening healthcare systems under Universal Health Care.

From policy to practice

On March 23, 2026, ITRMC launched its Wellness Movement Playbook, a policy-backed guide designed to integrate mental and physical health practices into daily hospital routines.

Unlike traditional manuals focused on compliance, the playbook emphasizes sustainable support systems for personnel.

As part of its implementation, the hospital established dedicated wellness spaces equipped with massage chairs, where employees are encouraged to take restorative breaks before, during, or after shifts.

Doctor Unity Cortez, officer-in-charge Medical Center Chief II, said the initiative is institutionalized to ensure accessibility.

“They can use it anytime. If they need to pause, reflect, or recharge, the space is there for them,” she said.

Workforce wellness matters

Doctor Paula Paz Sydiongco, Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos Center for Health Development (CHD) regional director, underscored that investing in human resources directly improves service delivery.

“Human resources is the greatest asset of any hospital,” she said, noting that healthier personnel are better equipped to serve communities.

Hospital officials also link the initiative to addressing burnout and lifestyle-related health risks among staff.

Doctor Brian Gilbert Fernandez, head of the Occupational Health and Safety Unit, explained that supporting employees fosters a more compassionate care environment.

“When workers feel supported, that translates into better patient interactions and overall service quality,” he said.

For employees like Accountant IV Sitti Karen Acosta, the program addresses everyday workplace stress.

“Sometimes we feel burned out. Having space to recharge helps us maintain balance and stay healthy,” she said.

Model for government agencies

ITRMC’s initiative highlights a scalable approach to workforce management that other public hospitals and government offices could adopt.

By embedding wellness into policy and daily operations, the hospital demonstrates that employee care is not an added benefit but a strategic investment.

This comes at a time when healthcare systems nationwide continue to face workforce shortages and high stress levels following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sustaining the movement

The DOH Ilocos CHD has committed to continuously updating the Wellness Movement Playbook to respond to emerging needs and ensure long-term implementation.

By institutionalizing workforce wellness, ITRMC positions itself as a model for healthcare facilities across the country—showing that sustaining the people behind the system is key to delivering quality public service. (AMB/CCMT/VTPB, PIA La Union)