The Provincial Government of Negros Oriental is looking to restoring the Siaton and Bindoy District hospitals to a Level I hospital this year.
Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria told the Dumaguete media Wednesday that health care has been his administration’s top priority since he became governor last year, but admitted that the province cannot do it alone.
He debunked claims of critics that the provincial government is focusing solely on the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, saying that the NOPH is a “model because that is where all our systems, all our plans, and programs will come from”.
Department of Health Negros Island Region Director Razel Nikka Hao, in the same press conference, said enhancing access to healthcare services across the region, which includes Negros Oriental, Negros OccideTntal, and Siquijor, are among their priorities for this year.
“We need to make sure that there are primary care facilities and hospitals around the region,” Hao said.
Hao, who recently opened the DOH Regional Office in Dumaguete City, said she also aims to improve communication among Ilonggo and Cebuano speakers, and bring the DOH workers from different NIR provinces to bridge cultural and language barriers.
Hao added that they will equip the hospitals to become Level 1 or Level 2 facilities, which would also enable them to secure PhilHealth accreditation and provide better services.
The DOH-NIR plans to implement integration workshops for health workers from various provinces to bridge these gaps.
Priority health programs for the region include immunization, nutrition, reproductive health, tuberculosis (TB), HIV, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and water and sanitation. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)