CARIGARA, Leyte -- The Department of Public Works and Highways Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office has completed rehabilitation of three rural health units in the province out of eight targets funded under the health department's Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
The field office has completed the rehabilitation of Burauen District Hospital, Tunga Rural Health Unit (RHU), and the Carigara RHU.
Rehabilitation of the RHUs of Capoocan and Jaro, as well as the Carigara District Hospital is still ongoing, while that of the RHUs of Burauen and Pastrana has yet to be started.
A total of P25.654 million was allotted for the rehabilitation of these RHUs and district hospitals.
District Engineer Carlos Veloso said these health facilities are being built the way public schools are constructed. The buildings are designed to withstand strong winds and heavy downpours during the typhoon season.
When Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated most of Leyte province in 2013, many RHUs in towns were damaged, which made healthcare delivery critical to all affected communities.
The rehabilitation of these RHUs will mean more healthcare facilities for children and the elderly, consultation rooms, minor surgery and treatment rooms, pharmacy, dental clinic, labor room, breastfeeding area and birthing clinic, among others.
The facilities enhancement program of the health department builds rural health care infrastructure in the selected districts to a level such that they have the physical capacity to address the service requirements of the National Health Program. (PNA)