New Barili hospital86% complete

CEBU, Philippines - The construction of the new P13 million two-storey Barili District Hospital building is now nearing completion.

The new building adjacent to the old hospital will have a capacity of 60 beds and will house the patients’ wards, private and semi-private rooms, surgery and obstetrics, out-patient department, and additional offices for hospital staff.

The Provincial Information Office reported that the ongoing construction is more than 86 percent and is currently on its architectural, plumbing and electrical phase.

The construction of the building, as well as the facilities and some equipment, is shouldered by the Department of Health under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program.

Once completed, the facility is expected to serve the medical needs of the town’s constituents and its neighboring towns and cities.

The existing 30-bed capacity of the old hospital will also be renovated once the new building is functional.

The Cebu provincial government has also set aside a new ambulance for the hospital to be given at the end of the year.

The PIO said the Capitol sees the need to upgrade its health facilities to address overcrowding of patients in old hospital buildings, which may no longer be conducive for recuperation.

Capitol is collaborating with the DOH on programs for the improvement in the delivery of basic and other essential health services, upgrading of hospital infrastructures and facilities and develop province-wide health systems.

Meanwhile, the district hospital’s new Comprehensive Emergency and Newborn Care (CEmONC) building is now open to serve the public, except for the operating room which electrical system has yet to be upgraded.

DOH allocated P 4.9 million for the CEMONC building.

Engr. Hector Jamora explained that the design is ready and that they are waiting for DOH’s go signal. The project will be executed by the Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“We have laid the plans and it’s all ready and we have just finished the bidding phase for power,” Jamora said.

Hospital operations head Dr. Jose de Leon Jr. is thankful to the present provincial government administration for making health an urgent priority.

The development was confirmed by Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, Provincial Social Welfare Development Office Head Rocelyn Zosa and Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera, who personally made rounds in southern Cebu last week to inspect Capitol’s ongoing and completed infrastructure projects. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga/ATO (FREEMAN)