Provincial hospitals to get P101M aid
The Cebu Provincial Government has been chosen as a recipient of over a P100 million in financial assistance from the Department of Health (DOH).
A total of P101.3 million is set to be granted to the Capitol which will be released in two tranches.
The first amount to be released is worth P75.3 million that will be used to improve the facilities in the hospitals of the cities and towns.
The fund will be downloaded from the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the DOH.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is set to be signed between the Capitol and DOH to seal the transaction.
Last October 22, the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has given Governor Hilario Davide III to sign on behalf on the Capitol through a resolution passed by PB Member Christopher Baricuatro.
Aside from the governor, DOH-7 Regional Director Jaime Bernadas and Provincial Health Office (PHO) Head Dr. Rene Catan will also sign the MOA.
It is also for the procurement of various medical and laboratory equipment for the provincial and district hospitals.
According to the Provincial Information Office, the four provincial hospitals in the cities of Bogo, Danao, Carcar, and the town of Balamban, as well as the eight district hospitals in the towns of Badian, Argao, Oslob, Bantayan, San Francisco, Malabuyoc, Tuburan and Barili were chosen as beneficiaries of this grant.
On top of the P75.3 million, a separate assistance amounting to P26 million will be added. This fund will be released by the DOH to the provincial government in order to improve the services of the local hospitals in providing affordable, quality tertiary care and specialized treatment.
For this assistance, the DOH chose the four provincial hospitals in Bogo, Danao, Carcar, and Balamban as well as the district hospitals in Badian, Argao, and Oslob.
The selection of the hospital-beneficiaries was made through a consultation conducted by the DOH in the 16 provincial and district hospitals in the province.
Like the first grant, the PB has also passed in a regular session the paper authorizing the governor and Catan to sign the second MOA.
Meanwhile, the procurement of various medical equipment will be made upon the discretion of Catan and heads of the recipient hospitals. —
JOY TORREJOS