Pampanga gets P750-M from nat’l gov’t on health facilities

CLARK FREEPORT – Executives from the Department of Health (DOH) Monday revealed that the province of Pampanga will get some P750 million from the National Government under the ‘Health Facility Enhancement Program.’

Leonita Gorgolon, Center for Health Development-DOH director, said the National Government is currently investing on the improvement of facilities to provide the best health services to the people, in line with the millennium development agenda of President Benigno Aquino III.

Gorgolon noted that for 2009 alone, DOH has funded the construction of various hospital facilities and amenities amounting to least P156 million.

“Noong 2010 ang pondong ibinigay dito sa Pampanga ay P146 million at noong 2011 naman ay umabot sa P65 million. Dalawangpu’t anim ang facilities ang naipagawa natin at labing apat dito ang nabigyan natin ng medical equipment,” she added.

Gorgolon explained that the department is currently prioritizing the establishment of birthing stations in different localities in order to reduce maternal death incidents in the province.

“No mother should die by giving life,” she stated.

She also claimed that for 2012, DOH spent at least P33-million for the construction of hospital facilities in Porac and Macabebe towns. 

The lady director likewise revealed that some P250-million was provided by the National Government for the proposed improvement of Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital.

From 250-bed capacity, the DOH plans to upgrade it into 500-bed capacity. She said this will include the construction of additional structures to accommodate more patients.