ILOILO City – Accessible healthcare for all towards a healthier Ilonggo community is the ultimate goal of the city government as it boosts its health services and builds more healthcare facilities.
Several priority health projects and programs are targeted to be accomplished this year, according to City Health Office (CHO) chief Dr. Annabelle Tang.
One of these is the Uswag Laboratory and Diagnostic Center which can perform various tests such as blood chemistry, CBC, ECG, chest x-ray, and ultrasound, among many others.
The building vacated by the city’s molecular laboratory in Barangay San Pedro, Molo district will be transformed into a clinical and diagnostic laboratory while the Uswag Molecular Laboratory moved to its newly constructed and bigger home located also within the vicinity. It is also targeted to offer genetic expert tests for tuberculosis, dengue and other diseases.
Tang said all the services will be made available especially for indigent city residents at very minimal fees compared to private health facilities.
Also to rise in Barangay San Pedro is the dream hospital of the city residents – the five-storey Level 2 Iloilo City Hospital and Medical Arts Building (MAB). It is currently under construction. It will provide medical services to the Ilonggos.
The city government is also establishing its own Stroke Rehab Center in Barangay Taal, Molo. Already with an assigned staff and just waiting for the procurement of needed equipment, it is set to be inaugurated by end of the third quarter this year.
Public health is part of Mayor Jerry Treñas’ administration’s inclusive development and good governance roadmap called WHEELS – Welfare, Health, and Sanitation, Education, Environmental Management, Livelihood, Sustainability.
As local chief executive, Treñas stressed, he has to be responsible for the health of his constituents.
“With more resources from the national government thru the Mandanas ruling starting 2026, local government units have the chance to upscale their medical facilities and equipment,” he said.
Meanwhile, bringing more government health services closer to residents, the five district health centers in Molo, Mandurriao, Sto. Rosario, Jaro 1, and Bo. Obrero have been accredited with Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for the provision of its Konsulta primary health care package.
The city government is also expanding the Sto. Rosario Animal Bite Center’s services to the La Paz and Mandurriao health centers.
Tang said the city government will work on the licenses of the two more animal bite centers with the Department of Health (DOH). The staff training is set on third quarter of this year.
Also this year, the city government is eyeing to establish district pharmacies at the Molo, Mandurriao, Sto. Rosario, Jaro 1, and Bo. Obrero health centers. This is apart from the one to be put up in the CHO at city hall.
Relative to this, a Pharmaceutical Committee has also been created as a policy-making body that will guide the city government especially with the procurement of particular medicines, among others.
A Mega Health Center will also be constructed in Arevalo district before this year ends with the help of the DOH.
The provision of the mega center aims to minimize hospital occupancy, thus it will have some hospital equipment and services like birthing, laboratory, TB DOTs, animal bite center, and dental service, among others. Adjacent to it is a separate building for another dialysis center.
The city has an existing operational Uswag Dialysis Center 1 in Barangay East Baluarte, Molo. Equipped with three dialysis machines, it provides free treatment to indigent clients battling chronic kidney disease and costly clinic or hospital fees.
Uswag Dialysis Center in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City
One of the recipients of the free services of Uswag Dialysis Center 1 is the 74-year-old Eliseo Bandiola of Sto. Rosario Duran, City Proper.
According to his son Elizer, the free dialysis is a big help especially for poor families like them who are struggling to make ends meet.
“Daku gid katama nga bulig para sa amon nga mga pigado,” the young Bandiola said.
Bandiola, who works as a maintenance worker, shared that in private dialysis centers, they spent over P3,000 per session. He and his three siblings pooled their money to pay for the dialysis of their father or, in some instances, borrowed money.
“Magasto luwas sa pamasahi. Sa bulong pa lang ayawan ka na. Daku gid ang bulig nga nakasulod kami sa Uswag Dialysis Center nga free lang,” he added.
Meantime, also soon to be operational is the bigger Uswag Dialysis Center 2 in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro which would have 14 dialysis machines that can cater to a total of 56 patients a week.
According to Tang, the city will apply for a License to Operate with the DOH as soon as the remaining requirements are complied.
On the other hand, the city government is also providing programs and interventions for the mental health of its residents.
It has re-launched the Ginhawa Program which aims to address the increasing need for proactive and effective solutions to mental health issues in the community.
True to his commitment to prioritize health, Treñas’ then campaign promise is now evidently showing results./PN
