Sarangani provincial hospital to open early December

Sarangani Vice Gov. Elmer de Peralta said Wednesday they are currently finalizing the arrangements for the operationalization of the hospital, which would initially function as an infirmary level facility. (Pixabay photo)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY— The provincial government of Sarangani is targeting to finally open by next month its newly-completed provincial hospital in Alabel town.

Sarangani Vice Gov. Elmer de Peralta said Wednesday they are currently finalizing the arrangements for the operationalization of the hospital, which would initially function as an infirmary level facility.

He said the local government is completing the requirements set by the Department of Health (DOH) for the issuance of the facility’s license to operate or certificate of accreditation.

The license from the DOH is a primary requirement for the processing of claims from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

once the hospital begins to operate, he said.

“We’re presently fast tracking the compliance of the requirements so it can operate by the first week of December,” he said in an interview over Brigada News TV.

Aside from this, De Peralta said the provincial personnel selection board is currently processing applications for the initial 40 plantilla or permanent positions allotted for the hospital.

The new positions, which are composed of nurses and non-paramedic staff, were based on an ordinance passed recently by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board, he said.

The official assured that the funds for the hospital’s operations, which will start with 18 to 25 beds, is already in place as set in the provincial government’s 2017 budget.

The DOH and the provincial government have already spent around P150 million for the project, completed earlier this year.

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.

Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and Sarangani Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao had committed an additional P200 million to facilitate the completion of the hospital.

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

It is expected to initially cater to patients from Alabel and neighboring Malapatan town, which have no government-run hospitals, and eventually those coming from other towns, Davao del Sur and this city.