• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The hemodialysis center located at Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital in La Carlota City is set to resume its services as it was reopened on Friday after the provincial government of Negros Occidental assumed the management of operations.
The facility will restore access to life-saving treatment for kidney patients in the fourth district.
The provincial government had taken the responsibility of rehabilitating the said center after the private company that was operating it, Nephroprime Corporation, ceased operations in July, citing financial losses.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said that new pipes and reverse osmosis (RO) systems were installed, after the facility was left in disrepair by the previous service provider.
The new piping and equipment was installed by the ZRL Group, a private contractor authorized by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The same company also operates the dialysis centers in Cadiz District Hospital and Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
Provincial Health Office Head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said that the facility has 15 dialysis machines that can cater to up to 45 patients, from Monday to Friday. Pinongan will serve as the head of the Hospital Operations Service in the facility.
She also disclosed that the district is planning to add another 15 machines to cater to more dialysis patients and said that the nurses and personnel that will cater to patients are trained professionals specialized in hemodialysis services.
The opening ceremony on Friday was also attended by Governor Eugenio Lacson, La Carlota City Mayor Jose Luis Jalandoni, and councilors Danilo Badillo and Stephen Simbit.
Lacson, who led the inauguration and blessing of the medical facility on Sept. 5, said that the upgraded unit stands as a testament to the provincial government’s ongoing commitment to delivering quality healthcare to every Negrense.
Lacson also emphasized that the enhanced facility will empower healthcare professionals to provide even better care to patients.
During its temporary closure, the provincial government assisted La Carlota dialysis patients by bringing them to dialysis centers at provincial government hospitals in Silay and Cadiz.*
