• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As Hospital Operations Division Chief Dr. Girlie Pinongan yesterday assumed the additional responsibility as officer in charge of the Provincial Health Office, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered her to improve the status of Universal Health Care implementation in Negros Occidental by the end of the year.
Lacson admits they are facing difficulty in UHC implementation, due to numerous guidelines they have to accomplish, including hospital services.
There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are working on it, the governor said.
But at the end of the day, if we succeed, it’s a lot of benefits that we can give to our constituents, Lacson stressed.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a national priority of governments, aimed at providing affordable and quality healthcare services to all Filipinos.
I am confident, that if we surpass this challenge, soon we will be able to raise to third level the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay, Lacson said, adding that, while there a lot of paperwork to be done, but then again, we have to do it.
Pinongan was made PHO officer in charge, pending imminent retirement of Dr. Ernell Tumimbang from government service in June.
Lacson also reminded all Capitol employees to make Negrenses feel that the provincial government “is here to help them.”
He also wants Pinongan to ensure that all health programs of the provincial government are being implemented in the local level, by encouraging City and Municipal Health Offices to truly function.
Lacson noted that the same health concerns that confronts Negrenses, such as dengue and other diseases, including COVID-19, although there are improvements.
“We just want to make sure that our constituents can count on the province for needed health services,” he stressed.*
