Pangasinan is embarking on a bold transformation of its health care system, driven by Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s steadfast commitment to building more hospitals and fortifying a seamless provincial health network.
During the Universal Health Care (UHC) Stakeholders Strategic Planning and Implementation held on September 1, Governor Guico reaffirmed his commitment to expanding hospital infrastructure and interlinking health facilities through advanced digital systems.
The provincial government plans to fast-track this push using public-private partnership (PPP) modalities, aiming for faster and more sustainable infrastructure development. “Sa atin sa Pangasinan, gawin na natin kung anong magagawa natin. Let’s build more hospitals. That is the framework that we’ll have to follow in the long term because that is the mandate of the Universal Health Care law,” Governor Guico emphasized.
Under the governor’s leadership, Pangasinan has upgraded all 14 provincial government hospitals, outfitting them with MRI units, CT scans, X-ray and ultrasound machines, dialysis stations, and enhanced laboratory facilities. Hemodialysis centers were also added in several key district hospitals.
In fact, projects such as the Umingan Super Community Hospital, with a 55-bed capacity and a Php200-million allocation, and the Alcala Community Hospital, a four-story, 50-bed facility, are cornerstones of Governor Guico’s plan to have 20 hospitals operating under the provincial government.
The governor highlighted the strengthening of a unified system linking all provincial hospitals as well. Through a Unified Database Ecosystem and the introduction of Electronic Medical Records (EMR), the province aims to enhance data sharing and streamline patient information for seamless referrals and improved service delivery. By leveraging technology, Pangasinan is setting the standard for an integrated healthcare delivery system in the country.
The governor also shared some health initiatives, including the procurement of mammogram machines, establishment of a prosthesis center, and the province’s commitment to shoulder animal bite treatment costs in hospitals.
The discussion further included the enhanced PhilHealth YAKAP (formerly Konsulta Benefit Package), which provides primary care services, health risk screenings, laboratory diagnostics, and medicines. “By supporting the programs of our Governor, we can leave a legacy, yung pinakamagandang healthcare not only for our province but in the entire Philippines,” said 4th District Board Member and Chairman on Committee on Health Hon. Jerry Agerico Rosario.
The event was participated in by some representatives of PhilHealth, Department of Health, Provincial Health Office, chiefs of hospitals, city and municipal health officers, department heads, and other key stakeholders.
(Danna Laureano, Photo by Ervin Alcantara | PIMRO)
