HOSPITAL EXPANSION. The Legazpi City Hospital (LCH) located in Barangay Bitano. The facility is currently undergoing expansion to accommodate more patients, with construction works expected to be finished by January 2022. (Photo from Mayor Noel Rosal's Facebook page)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Legazpi City Hospital (LCH) here will soon be able to serve more patients once its expansion is completed.
Mayor Noel E. Rosal on Wednesday directed the City Engineering Office (CEO) to expedite the construction of the facility's third level to accommodate more patients and decongest the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH).
He said in an interview the expansion of the hospital would benefit more patients especially those who are indigent and need to undergo surgery for their medical condition.
Rosal said LCH imposes low rates, adding that all Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) members under the Universal Health Care (UHC) are free from medical charges.
Meanwhile, City Engineer Clemente Ibo said the construction of the LCH's third level is almost 50 percent complete and is expected to be finished by January next year.
“The civil works of the project include the construction of 23 to 25 rooms that can accommodate an additional 60 beds including the installation of the elevator, three operating rooms, and semi-private room,” Ibo said.
Rosal also said the new ultrasound machine was recently installed at the hospital to benefit patients who would need the diagnostic procedure.
"Para po ito sa atin lahat lalo na mga mahihirap .. libre po ito sa mga may PhilHealth under the Universal Health Care program of the goverment (This is for all, particularly for the indigents, free for all with PhilHealth coverage under the Universal Health Care program of the government). Keep safe," he added.
The mayor said the laboratory, operating and labor rooms, X-ray section, intensive care unit, emergency, and recovery rooms as well as the dental clinic and pharmacy, are all located on the ground floor of the LCH while the male and female wards, pediatric rooms and the offices of doctors and other medical personnel are on the second floor.
The LCH is located in Barangay Bitano and built at the cost of PHP120 million on a 3,000-square meter lot owned by the city government. It opened in 2018 after a three-year construction. (PNA)
