Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., regional health secretary, said the “convergent” operational approach of the transitory administration of Acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong aptly worked for the reactivation of Unayan District Hospital in Binidayan town in Lanao del Sur, and Sumisip District Hospital in Basilan.
The Bureau of Public Information (BPI)-ARMM said Adiong personally graced the operational resumption of the Unayan District Hospital following the completion of renovation works on its building funded with P6.8-million by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The enhancement of its medical facilities cost P2-million subsidy from the DOH central office, Sinolinding said.
Kei Fukunaga, Japan Embassy’s First Secretary and Senior Adviser on Mindanao Reconstruction and Development, and Integrated Provincial Health Officer Alinader Minalang witnessed the resumed services of the Unayan District Hospital to the five distant towns of Lanao del Sur – Binidayan, Bayang, Calanogas, Pualas, and Pagayawan.
Sinolinding described as “more dramatic” the reactivation of the District Hospital in Sumisip town in Basilan on Sept. 28 because the medical facility had been inutile since 1999, just a year after it was inaugurated.
He said the reactivation of the 20-bed Sumisip District Hospital cost a total of P11-million, P9-M of which was for structural renovation and P2-M for medical equipment upgrading.
For the outfit’s sustained operation, the DOH central office through Secretary Enrique Ona has allocated P12-million for the salaries of 20 personnel including two doctors and maintenance, operations and other expenses annually starting next year, Sinolinding said.
He said the Ona vowed to help source out fund to increase the capacity of the Sumisipi District Hospital from 20 to 50 beds.
Under the Adiong government’s “convergent” operational strategy, the local military and police establishments committed to provide within this year medical equipment plus the services of their nurses and pharmacists, the multi-awarded regional health official said.
“The reactivation of the Sumisip District Hospital very dramatic because residents alongside the military and police elements in Basilan converged in pushing for its realization in order to help reduce the high maternal and infant mortality rates in Basilan,” Sinolinding said. (JPA/BPI/RVC-PIA9 ZamBaSulTa)