DOH allots P112.5-M for hospital projects in Sarangani

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--The Department of Health (DOH) has allocated some P112.5 million for the completion of the Sarangani provincial hospital and the expansion of another medical facility.

Board member Jess Bascuña, chair of the provincial board’s committee on health, said Wednesday a total of P100 million was set aside by the agency for the construction of additional buildings and facilities for the provincial hospital in Alabel town.

Bascuña said the remaining P12.5 million will fund the ongoing construction of the nursing services extension building of the municipal hospital in Maitum town.

The board passed a resolution during its regular session on Tuesday granting authority to Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon to sign an agreement with the DOH for the implementation of the projects.

Bascuña said the construction of additional structures at the provincial hospital, which is located inside the provincial capitol compound, is set to start next month.

He said around P58 million will be utilized for the construction of a two-story imaging, dietary and ward building, P25 million for the new provincial health office within the hospital compound, P10 million for the outpatient, emergency and operating room building, and P7 million for the waste water treatment facility.

The provincial government aims to operate the facility this year, starting with 18 to 25 beds.

When fully completed, the provincial hospital will have a capacity of 200 beds and operate as a tertiary facility.

Gov. Chiongbian said they have already completed the hiring of required personnel and allotted funds for its operations.

The DOH and the provincial government have already spent around P150 million for the project.

The hospital’s construction started in 2012 through an initial P50-million grant from the DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program. Another P75 million was later released as augmentation.

The agency allotted some P20 million for the acquisition of hospital equipment and P5 million for the construction of a two-story outpatient department and its operating room foundation. (PNA)