After several delays, construction has finally kicked off on the P12-million Super Health Center in Matag-ob, Leyte.
Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and the local government unit of Matag-ob led the groundbreaking ceremony to signal the start of construction last Friday, February 28.
Mayor Bernardino Tacoy thanked the national government for granting their request to build the upgraded health center for the town’s 21 villages.
“Our existing rural health unit is very small. We need bigger facility that will enable us to provide more health services,” he told reporters.
The mayor said the local government is committed to providing equipment and hiring more health workers to support the Super Health Center’s operation.
Through these facilities, patients will be able to get a diagnostic exam before being referred to hospitals if needed, answering the gap in the country’s current patient referral system and inequities in healthcare access.
“The center is open to residents from nearby towns since we want to provide service to more people,” Tacoy added.
The DOH intends to build similar facilities in more areas nationwide to decongest regional and provincial hospitals.
In Leyte province, there are 20 Super Health Center that are either completed, ongoing, or planned, according to Engr. Narcissa Zeta of the DOH Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP).
“The DOH is funding the construction of Super Health Centers based on request of local governments with available lots and committed to support its operation,” Zeta said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had issued the notice to proceed with the project last January 13, but the project was delayed as the local government is just completing the demolition of an old structure in the project site inside the municipal hall complex.
There had also been considerable debate between local officials on where to construct the new center.
Some officials want to build it at Barangay Santa Rosa, despite the fact that it is located nine kilometers from the town center and the access road passes through a landslide-prone area.
(With report from PNA)
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