Lingayen — “The influx of patients which have doubled or even tripled the 150-bed capacity allowed by the Department of Health for the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) is attributed to its physical transformation, advance medical equipment and the quality delivery of medical services by its health workers.”
This was declared by PPH OIC Chief Policarpio Manuel during an ambush interview with local media on September 3 at the Kalantiao building conference hall as he noted that quality medical services are served by hospital doctors and staff amidst the increase of patients.
Relative to this, Provincial Health Officer Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman said, “the hospital personnel complement at the PPH is now designed to accomodate about 500 patients,” citing that “the hiring of additional health workers was prompted by the influx of in-patients.”
The medicine supply might only be good for 150 patients, but the deficit will be filled up within two to three days, Dr. Manuel said.
He cited however, “may mga isolated cases naman na nauubusan kami ng gamot dahil sa biglaang pagdami ng pasyente sa amin. That’s the time na makukulangan kami ng gamot na maipagbibili sa loob ng PPH,” he added.
On instruction of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., the provincial government continues to hire additional workers in hospitals which include: nurses, pharmacists and medical technologists.
Recently, 35 new doctors were hired in the 14 hospitals, including 8 specialists to community hospitals, to help in delivery of medical services especially to indigent patients.
PHO De Guzman said a directive has alerted two surgeons, two pediatricians and two Obstetrician-Gynecologists to render 24-hour duty in key areas of hospitals.
“There are also doctors assigned in Emergency Rooms (ERs) while those who are having 24-hour duty in wards will focus only on critical patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), unless their service is really needed in ERs,” she added.
Earlier, Gov. Espino met with the chiefs of hospitals and their administrative officers, urging them to ensure the quality of health services in their respective hospitals.
Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan, who facilitated the meeting with the chiefs of hospitals together with Vice Govenor Jose Ferdinand Z.Calimlim Jr., clarified that there is “no special treatment to alleged fixers in hospitals,” citing that their presence is part of the culture and that “they only fix the bills of patients.”
“Kailangang luminya lahat, at kung may fast lane man, yun ay para sa buntis lang na manganganak, Person With Disabilities (PWDs) at mga senior citizen,” he said. (PIO/Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca)