LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—A new three-storey laboratory facility and the upgrading of laboratory services from Level II to Level III at the Western Pangasinan District Hospital (WPDH) will soon be established.
This is in line with the thrusts of the provincial government, under the stewardship of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, to strengthen mass-based health care programs in Pangasinan.
To push the project forward, the provincial board approved on September 10 a resolution endorsing to the Department of Health (DOH) the issuance of a Permit to Construct (PTC).
“This project will serve as a great step to further enhance the delivery of health care services to the patients under the catchment area of the said hospital, in line with its vision to provide quality, promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care that is available, accessible and affordable,” the resolution authored by Board Member Jerry Agerico B. Rosario, stated.
Currently, WPDH which is located in Alaminos City, operates as a Level 1 hospital with an authorized bed capacity of 75.
However, the resolution disclosed that the hospital’s actual implementing capacity has reached 234 due to high patient demand, frequently exceeding its authorized limit. This underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive and advanced health care services.
“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan strongly supports the Western Pangasinan District Hospital in its efforts to imrpove its facilities and services as prescribed by the Department of Health,” the resolution futher stated.
Meanwhile, other facilities established under the present administration include a hemodialysis center equipped with 15 dialysis machines, which began operations in January this year.
It can be recalled that the establishment of dialysis centers in all district and community hospitals in Pangasinan is part of the provincial government’s hospital modernization program under Governor Guico. Plans for the creation of other specialty hospitals such as Heart Center, Kidney Center and Cancer Insitute are likewise in the offing.
(Ruby F. Rayat, photo by Ervin Alcantara/PIMRO)
