PHO: More Projects to Better Province’s Health Services

With the successful implementation of projects, plus a lot more on the pipeline, the Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) aims to address more concerns regarding the province’s health services.

During last Friday’s regular press conference at the Capitol, PHO chief Dr. Rene Catan said they have lesser complaints now since they have implemented projects, including hiring more hospital personnel and upgrading of provincial hospitals.

“We are now receiving fewer complaints through 8888, and nurses are now motivated,” said Catan.

He urged those making use of the services of all 12 hospitals and four provincial hospitals to send their concerns, if any, through cellular phone number 0919-207-0001.

Catan said complainants should text or call this number, instead of posting in social media, so they can immediately act on it.

When he started as PHO chief last year, provincial government-run hospitals only had 390 personnel. Now it’s already operating with a 1,900 workforce.

Budget

PHO’s budget for 2017 is P488 million, plus P131.5 million from the Annual Investment Plan, totaling to over P619 million. The amount does not include funding for 16 hospitals.

Noting that the health budget still falls short of what is needed, Catan is eyeing PhilHealth collection and proceeds in selling province-owned properties to finance health needs.

Catan said that their PhilHealth collection may reach their annual P500 million target due to hospital efficiency.

At present, PHO has two sections: public health and hospitals. In his projection, the budget requirement for public health is P1.2 billion and for hospitals is P1.3 billion.

“We need P2.5 billion to rehabilitate our entire health system,” said Catan, adding that if an earning of P500 million a year is hit, which is his target, there should be an accumulated PhilHealth earning of P3 billion in six years.

For the third quarter of this year alone, Catan said they already reached the P300 million mark in PhilHealth earnings.

More funds

To augment the healthcare service of the Capitol, the hospitals will be benefiting from sold properties of the Provincial Government, like the Cebu International Convention Center.

Capitol is set to receive P200 million from Mandaue City this year and another P100 million by June next year.

He also announced recent fund grants through the efforts of PB member Horacio “Raci” Franco for the improvement of the Severo Verallo Provincial Hospital in Bogo City.

Senate granted a P200 million funding for Cebu’s hospital facilities which will be released in batches. About P70 million was already released this year for hospitals in north Cebu.

“Sa infrastructure side, we are a recipient of hodge podge projects, wa matiwas ang Danao, Balamban ug Carcar provincial hospitals,” said Catan as he shared their efforts to address concerns from four provincial hospitals that have to be completed yet.

The 2018 budget includes the allocation that would complete the facilities so they can further increase patient capacity.

“We have to remember, health is services, not equipment,” said Catan.

PHO’s target is to upgrade four provincial hospitals into medical centers.

Once completed, patients from the south will be treated at the Carcar Provincial Hospital; those from the west will be treated at the Balamban Provincial Hospital; and those from the north and neighboring islands will go to the Severo Verallo Provincial Hospital in Bogo City and Danao City Provincial Hospital, instead of having to bring all patients to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

cebu.gov.ph