ILOILO – The provincial government, through the Hospital Management Office (HMO), is exploring the possibility of putting up dialysis units in strategic district hospitals.
HMO head, Dr. Paz V. Calopiz, who manages 12 district hospitals and Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH) in Pototan town, said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is open to proposals from the private sector through a public-private partnership (PPP).
“We are planning ang district hospitals may ara sang dialysis unit nga i-incorporate sa aton hospital. So, naga-start pa lang kita explore sang possibility kon diin kita puede, naga-accept kita subong sang proposal through PPP,” said Calopiz.
One private company has already expressed interest, she added, and it has already inspected district hospitals to check the feasibility.
The HMO head also said the company has gathered data from towns, including the number of patients with renal problems who would avail themselves of dialysis services.
Calopiz, however, clarified it was still an exploratory talk and would only be finalized once the company submitted a formal proposal.
With dialysis units in district hospitals, patients from the province no longer need to avail of services from tertiary hospitals in Iloilo City, she said.
Aside from a PPP deal, the provincial government is also studying whether it could fund the same.
Calopiz said maintaining dialysis operation is arduous; the provincial government has to hire specialists like doctors, nurses and medical technologists to manage the unit.
For the dialysis machines, meanwhile, she said this could be requested from the Department of Health (DOH).
Aside from the IPH, here are the 12 district hospitals managed by the provincial government:
* Aleosan District Hospital in Barangay Bancal, Alimodian
* Barotac Viejo District Hospital in Barangay San Lucas, Barotac Viejo
* Dr. Ricardo S. Provido Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Dalid, Calinog
* Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital on Alfelor Street, Passi City
* Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Poblacion, Ilawod, Lambunao
* Ramon D. Duremdes District Hospital in Barangay Ilaya 1st, Dumangas
* Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay
* Jesus M. Colmenares Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Tingui-an, Balasan
* Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Pungtod, Cabatuan
* Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial District Hospital on Garriel Street, Guimbal
* San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital in San Joaquin
* Sara District Hospital in Barangay Anoring, Sara./PN
