ILOILO City – The sorry state of government hospitals has prompted him to propose a city government-run hospital and dialysis center, according to Mayor-elect Jerry Treñas.
“Nakita ko ang mga tawo nagadala sang ila hiligdaan. That is why gusto ko kita sa syudad, kon makasarang man lang, we will have our own hospital,” said Treñas.
He had an initial meeting with officials of the Department of Health (DOH) on June 17.
DOH recommended that the city government start with a Level 1 or 50-bed hospital capable of performing surgery, said Treñas.
Building a Level 1 hospital costs some P159 million, according to DOH.
“Possible pangitaan funding didto man sa DOH. Very excited ako. Ang problema lang naton later on will be our personnel compliment,” said Treñas.
But first, the city government has to find a two-hectare lot where to construct the hospital.
Treñas said he initially mulled to just convert the La Paz Maternity & Reproductive Health Center into a hospital but he was told it could not pass DOH’s standards.
For the proposed city government-run dialysis center, Treñas said DOH was also willing to help.
The city government just have to identify a building for the purpose, he added.
“Once it is ready we will train the necessary personnel,” said Treñas.
Building a city government-run hospital was one of Treñas’ campaign promises.
“Healthcare is always a priority for me, so together with my team I am trying my best to upgrade healthcare services in Iloilo City,” he stressed.
The city government previously put up a building at the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao district funded by the late Ilongga senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Healthcare services there were eventually absorbed by the medical center.
“We are happy to help the center have more facilities para sa ila mga pasyente,” said Treñas./PN
