THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental will be increasing the bed capacity of its four major hospitals.
Leonardo Eusebio, Hospital Operations Department head, said the plan is aimed to meet the growing number of patients in the province.
The plan needs the approval of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, as chair of the Provincial Health Board and the Provincial Board, Eusebio said.
He said funds from the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act will be used for the expansion plan.
The Provincial Government is eyeing for the expansion of the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City from 100 to 500 beds that would place it at Level Three. That would make it a teaching and training hospital, which can then accept residents, he added.
They also recommended an increase in bed capacity at the Cadiz District Hospital in Cadiz City and Lorezo D. Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City to 300 beds each, and the Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid town to 200 beds, he said.
The increase in bed capacities is needed to provide quality care amid a growing population. It will also mean an upgrade in facilities, equipment and personnel, Eusebio said.
He admitted that Provincial Government hospitals have been losing nurses to better offers abroad, but replacements have also been available.
The upgrading of the other Provincial Government-run hospitals will follow after the first four, Eusebio added.