By Melody J. Cosep
KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 12, 2014) – Officials have inaugurated Kiamba District Hospital’s (KDH) Emergency Room (ER), Out-Patient Department (OPD) Complex, Operating Room (OR), and Delivery Room Complex following a multi-million peso upgrade.
Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, Mayor Raul Martinez, Board Member Elmer De Peralta, Board Member Cornelio Martinez Jr., Board Member George Falgui, Department of Health (DOH) representative Godwin Lord Gallo, and OIC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro led the turn-over and inauguration on December 8.
This project was made possible by the efforts of the Provincial Government of Sarangani thru the Provincial Health Office with the leadership of Gov. Solon, Cong. Manny Pacquiao, Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao, and the board members, DOH, and Kiamba Municipal Government led by Mayor Martinez.
“The only caveat, one instruction I have is that the service that you have to give here to the rich and the poor has to be top quality. Walang nambabastos. The fastest way that you can get removed or terminated is by treating the patients poorly. Kahit walang pera yung pasyente, kahit madumi, kahit ano, dapat ang treatment talaga natin sa kanila ay parang world-class sila,” said Gov. Solon.
Solon said the hospital will not only be a trademark or a milestone in the province, but the staff will also strive that it will be one of the best hospitals in the region.
The Sarangani Provincial Government allocated P4 Million for the construction of the ER/OPD Complex while the DOH thru its Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) allotted P16.5 Million for the OR/Delivery Room Complex.
Earlier, the DOH HFEP funded P9 Million for the construction of the social hygiene clinic, dietary and laundry building, isolation room, and the renovation of the hospital main building of KDH while the provincial government appropriated almost P2 Million for its perimeter fence and cadaver holding area.
Ongoing improvements worth P44 Million from DOH are currently constructed in KDH. These include the ward expansion with more private rooms, construction of the waste water treatment facility, supply records room, dormitory for hospital staff, watcher’s pavilion, motorpool, and improvement of the main building which includes the administrative section, pharmacy, and x-ray and ultrasound area.
Almost P4 Million worth of equipment from some fund sources such as DOH and World Bank have been delivered to Kiamba District Hospital since last year for upgrading of its hospital bed, OR and operating bed, and intravenous stands. Furthermore, about half million from the provincial government was utilized to purchase additional equipment, and P2.7 Million for the purchase of state-of-the-art OR lights, instruments, monitors, suction machines, and more.
The Provincial Government of Sarangani has been committed to upgrade the municipal hospitals in the province as part of the Provincial Health System of the Sulong Kalusugan program where patients could get better facilities and improved services.
As regards the Sarangani Provincial Hospital that is located inside the Capitol compound, the construction of its first phase worth P55 Million was already finished in November of this year. It comprises a laboratory, an emergency room, some private rooms, and three huge wards. The second phase of the hospital worth P100 Million - P50 Million from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and another P50 Million from DOH - is for implementation next year. This will complete the operating theatre (commonly known as the operating room) on the second floor of the hospital. The provincial hospital will initially operate at the soonest time possible.
Finally, the Provincial Government has been very thankful and grateful to the DOH, World Bank, Philhealth and other partners for their steadfast support to improve the hospital services in the province. (Melody J. Cosep/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)
