by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, Dec. 20 (PIA) - - Public hospitals run by the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte are due to receive a financial aid from the Department of Health (DOH) to upgrade their buildings and equipment.
DOH-IX Regional Director Aristedes Tan disclosed that a total of P31 million would be given to the provincial government to improve the facilities of its five district and municipal hospitals.
With this, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has given Governor Rolando E. Yebes an authority to sign an agreement with the DOH for the implementation of the project.
The provincial government has also been required to submit to the DOH a five-year development plan on its hospital/health services.
The Sibuco municipal hospital in Sibuco town shall receive P6 million of which P5 million will be used for the construction of a new building and the other P 1million for the purchase of hospital equipment.
Liloy and Piñan district hospitals of the municipalities of Liloy and Piñan, respectively, are also allotted P6 million each to upgrade their buildings and facilities.
Sindangan district hospital in Sindangan town will receive P5 million for the construction of a new building and P2 million for equipment.
Another P5 million will be given to Manukan Medicare Hospital in Manukan town for the improvement of its building and equipment.
With the implementation of the Local Government Code of 1991, DOH had devolved to the provincial government one provincial hospital, six district hospitals and four municipal hospitals.
In 2000, the Jose Rizal District Hospital in Dapitan City was converted into Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital by virtue of Republic Act 8200, putting it under the direct supervision and control of the DOH.
Aside from the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center (formerly Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Hospital), the province is currently operating four district hospitals and two municipal hospitals. (FPG/PIA-Zambo. Norte)
