ALABEL, Sarangani (November 4, 2021) – The six provincial government-run hospitals in Sarangani have obtained P95-million worth of brand-new medical equipment from the Department of Health (DOH) as part of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
Total equipment cost for each hospital varies with the P20M for Glan Medicare Community Hospital, P10M for the Malungon Municipal Hospital, P14.5M for Maasim Municipal Hospital, P20M for Dr. Cornelio T. Martinez Sr. Memorial Hospital in Kiamba, P6M for Maitum Municipal Hospital, and P25M for the Sarangani Healthcare Facility (SHF) inside Capitol compound in Alabel.
Health Regional Director Dr. Aristides Tan turned over the medical equipment on October 27 at the SHF which were part of their “2017 fund allocation” for the provision of medical equipment in the different hospitals in the region.
In Sarangani, the equipment turned over were X-ray, Ultrasound and Ventilator machines, a brand-new unit of ambulance and operating tables which Provincial Health Officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro expected to “drive the medical staff to better their service to the people.”
According to Alejandro, the said equipment will immediately be of use soon as the supplier will finish the installation as well as the needed training and orientation to properly operate the equipment.
As among the pilot sites of the implementation of the UHC, Alejandaro said Sarangani was afforded with the medical equipment as the UHC Law, he said, targets to provide equipment and other needs of the hospitals in the identified implementation sites.
“For as long as we comply with the necessary requirements for the UHC maturity levels one, two and three," Alejandro said, "there are more coming equipment and supplies next year."
RD Tan anticipated the equipment delivered will be a “driving force” for the improvement of the three Level 1 hospitals in Sarangani and for the Sarangani Healthcare Facility to deliver the “best medical service.”
He, too, expected that implementation of the UHC Law in the province will be successful.
As of this writing, Sarangani has already three Level 1 hospitals situated in Malungon, Glan and Kiamba. Alejandro said these “are duly approved to serve as Covid—19 facility.” Also, he said, the SHF is already applying for its accreditation to be a Level 1 hospital.
“A certificate of need has already been issued which is the first requirement to become a Level 1 hospital,” Alejandro said.
The continuous improvements in the health sector in Sarangani were made possible with the strong tandem of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, Deputy Speaker Congressman Rogelio Pacquiao, and Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta with the full support of the town mayors and all the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Meanwhile, Governor Solon commended all the medical staff “who are tirelessly working and who are taking the risk every day to give their service to those who are in need.”
The UHC Law was signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in February 2019 to usher in massive reforms in the Philippine health sector.
Among the salient features of the UHC Law are the expansion of population, service, and financial coverage through an array of health system amendments.
The UHC Law ensures that every Filipino is healthy, protected from health hazards and risks, and has access to affordable, quality, and readily available health service that is suitable to their needs.
(Joshua John Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
