From the site of its 10-bed infirmary, San Miguel town has erected a 25-bed health facility in line with its vision of making health service even more accessible to a bigger number of constituents in this hinterland town.
And, the local government’s decision to inaugurate the new facility during the nutrition month culmination activities on July 31 was never even more prudent, says town information officer Menandro Pesquira in an interview.
Pesquira pointed out that the old infirmary operated initially from funds generated from the town’s Nutrition Month activities as well as Countryside Development Fund of the District Representative.
Using help from LOGOFIND, the town tapped funds to complete the P45M facility while putting in about P18M from the local coffers, he said.
Mayor Claudio Bonior, during the hospital inauguration admitted that the dream facility would finally unsettle his poor constituents who then had to sidle in for the ten beds they can only offer.
Attending the inauguration were Congressman Roberto Cajes, Boardmembers Amalia Tirol, Ma Fe Lejos, DILG Provincial Director Rustica Mascarinas, Pureza Chatto, DOH 7 Dr. Sofia Mancao. Resident physician Dr. Eduardo Abellar, head nurse and administrator Peter Nuez and Vice Mayor Jonathan Reyes.
From an infirmary that responded to a diarrhea outbreak in 1994, the San Miguel Hospital now stands on the old site and promises the same if not better health assistance program to the town.
The local officials decided to resettle the infirmary to a private residence while the construction went on, independent sources tell.
Since there were cases, which needed financial assistance, the Confederated Health Councilors Association, composed of Barangay Kagawads who were chairpersons of the committee on health in heir respective barangays formulated the health assistance program which provided interest-free loans fro purchase of medicines of admitted patients.
The seed money has been increased with the membership fees of P50.00 per household.
The Municipal Health Officer, who reports to the Local Health Board oversees the operations of the 10-bed infirmary managed by a resident physician with the help of visiting doctors, nurses and midwife in tandem with barangay health workers act as nursing aides and provide laundry and janitorial services.
In addition to the health care services, san Miguel also put up health assistance scheme, health education seminars and trainings are conducted on disease prevention, management and control, first aid and other basic health skills.
As a result, there is improved health care, increased knowledge on health, improvement in sanitation and reduced incidence of infectious diseases and increased family income.
And from a decade old Gawad Galing Pook awardee for outstanding health program in 1996, it may not be long for a town hospital to duplicate a feat in keeping the infirmary and in running a health assistance program that snagged national attention back then. (PIA)
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