ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH) in Barangay Rumbang, Pototan town now has a computerized tomography (CT) scan machine.
A handover ceremony of the machine from the Department of Health (DOH) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) was held on May 4.
The machine was funded by the Asian Development Bank and UNOPS.
Dr. Paz Calopiz, head of the provincial government’s Hospital Management Office (HMO) managing 13 district hospitals, including IPH, said the machine is a huge help to residents of the province, especially indigent patients.
“We are very glad nga may ara kitag,” said Calopiz in an interview with Panay News on Monday, May 8.
The CT scan machine is exclusive to in-house patients or patients of IPH, but once the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approves the rates, it will be made available to patients from other district hospitals.
According to Calopiz, once available to all patients, the number of patients from the province referred to the Western Visayas Medical Center and West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo City, tertiary hospitals, or private hospitals will lessen.
Importance of CT scan machine
Calopiz said the machine is used to diagnose head or body injuries that cannot be seen through ultrasound.
“Kinahanglanon gid ina sa pag-diagnose not only sa stroke but any types of diseases nga indi naton makita through ultrasound,” she said.
Aside from IPH, CT scan machines are being installed at the San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital in San Joaquin town.
Calopiz said the Iloilo provincial government also plans to install CT scan machines in southern and northern Iloilo district hospitals to make service more accessible to the public.
Fourth District’s Provincial Board member Rolando Distura also thanked Richard Mugacha, senior project manager of UNOPS that donated the CT scan machine to IPH.
Distura, who was also present during the handover ceremony, said he will try to speed up the approval of the rates by the SP for those who want to avail themselves of the CT scan service.
The IPH is headed by Dr. Alberto Cordero.
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
