LAOAG CITY, April 11 (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council in Ilocos Region (RDC-1) recently approved a resolution increasing the bed capacity of the state-run Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City.
The proposed 10-storey Saints Nicolas and Peregrine Neonatal and Multispecialty Building is expected to increase bed capacity from 200 to 503 and upgrade specialty services of the said hospital with a total project of Php620,878,096.
Moreover, the proposed project will cater to patients not only in Ilocos Norte, but as hospital catchment area for nearby provinces namely Upper Cagayan, Northern Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, and Batanes being part of its Service Delivery Network or Health Care Provider Network under the Universal Health Care Act.
The catchment area of the medical institution registers a high mortality for cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, conditions originating in perinatal period, pneumonia, and genitourinary tract.
Once the project is finished, it will serve more than 2 million of the population belonging to the North Western Luzon Quad by providing the most advanced and better quality of health care services such as preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative, including intensive critical care to patients who are in need and extensive laboratory work ups for diagnostic and therapeutic purpose.
According to the council, the proposed project is deemed to be responsive to the development outcomes of the Enhanced Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022 and also one of the priority projects under Ilocos Region’s 2023 Annual Investment Program.
During the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in Ilocos Norte, Senior Board Member Dr. Medeldorf Gaoat said that the establishment of the project is a great help for an extensive health care service to all Ilokanos.
“Malaking tulong ito para mas maraming ma-accommodate na mga kababayan natin hindi lamang dito sa Ilocos Norte kundi pati na rin sa mga iba’t ibang lugar,” said Gaoat.
The SP board passed the Provincial Resolution No. 449-2022 requesting RDC to endorse the proposed 2023-2025 multi-year project of the state-run hospital to the Department of Health Central Office for funding. (JCR/JNPD/MJTAB, PIA Ilocos Norte)
