LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III led the blessing and the inauguration rites of the province’s first-ever MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) last Wednesday.
The state-of-the-art equipment installed at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) in Bolingit, San Carlos City is expected to help government physicians to have more accurate diagnosis and shall also provide the best treatment for patients, said Dr. Cipriano Fernandez.
MRI is a non-invasive medical imaging test that produces detailed images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles, and blood vessels.
“Today, we will witness another historic first in the province,” said Fernandez while thanking and commending the governor for his effort in bolstering health reform in Pangasinan.
“Congratulations PPH on having the first MRI. This is the first time for Pangasinan to operate and to own such an advanced equipment,” Governor Guico said.
On the same day, the new diagnostic building in the Mangatarem District Hospital (MDH) was also inaugurated. Said facility shall offer laboratory and radiology services to include 32-slice CT scan, stationary X-ray, two portable X-ray units, and ultrasound equipment.
Dubbed as historic first in in the municipality, MDH head Dr. Eusebio Sison thank ed the governor adding that Gov. Guico is the first provincial chief executive who fulfilled a campaign promise to modernize health facilities in Pangasinan.
“Because of the strong leadership and dynamism of Gov, MonMon Guico, Pangasinan is now entering a new era, an era of the first where big dreams are finally turning into reality,” he said.
Modernization of all government hospitals in Pangasinan is one of the top priorities of Gov. Guico, who wants to change the lives of the less-privileged Pangasinenses.
Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino who also graced the events, vowed to fully support all initiatives of Gov. Guico as he expressed optimism that progress and development will be felt by Pangasinenses in the next couple of years.
“ In just three years, I think we can see the changes here in the province, in terms of education, infrasctructure, social services, especially in health program, we can see all the changes. So I can say that our province is developing,” the vice governor said.
Gov. Guico further vowed to continuously lead the province into greater heights if given the opportunity.
Among the dreams of the governor is the establishments of at least 20 government hospitals in Pangasinan by 2031 as well as a network of tertiary hospitals and specialty ceters like Pangasinan Heart Center, Pangasinan Kidney Center, Pangasinan Lung Center, and Pangasinan Children’s Medical Center.
Healthcare enhancements under Gov. Guico also include procurement of various state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment which were never before purchased by the past administration.
Aside from the MRI, the present administration has purchased, to date, 19 stationary X-ray machines, 21 mobile X-ray machines, 22 ultrasound machines, and six CT (computed tomography) scan.
It was during Gov. Guico’s term that the Province of Pangasinan was given recognition for the first time last February 20 by the Department of Health as ‘Kampeon ng Kalusugan sa mga Komunidad.’ (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
