SURALLAH, South Cotabato (PIA) -- After more than a year of no operation and months of waiting since its turnover from the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 12, the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital is now open to serve about 4 million residents, an official said Monday.
Dr. Ceril M. Borromeo, SGH chief of hospital said “the opening of this institution is just the beginning of our work. Our services starts from clinical packages with the consultations and admissions, we have our specialties on family medicine, internal medicines for adults, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology as well as surgery/minor trauma.”
On surgery, the official said that because it is still an infirmary, "the operating room will still not operate, no major surgical procedures, caesarean section will be done.”
“For the obstetrics, magdawat kami sang normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries (NSVD), since we are an infirmary and we are only allowed to cater deliveries nga Gravida 2 to 4 for non-Covid cases and mild to moderate Covid cases. Gravida 1 should be in Level 1 hospitals,” Borromeo added.
The SGH also offer ancillary and allied services, such as clinical laboratory, pharmacy, imaging facility (X-Ray), ultrasound (whole abdomen, KUB, chest and thyroid) while outpatient services are only limited to outpatient consultation, minor surgery, counselling, family planning, breastfeeding, HIV-AIDS, and as TB-DOTS referral facility.
The SGH is now open for 24-hour emergency and minor trauma care, 24-hour admission, minor operations and procedures, suturing and removal of sutures, debridement and wound care.
The newly opened infirmary has 21 doctors, 76 nurses and 173 non-medical and ancillary support services personnel now ready to serve the medical needs of SOCCSKSARGEN residents.
Previously known as the Upper Valley Community Hospital, SGH was named a regional hospital for Region 12 (Soccsksargen) through Republic Act 11102 signed by then President Rodrigo Duterte on October 26, 2018.
Its turnover to the DOH-12 was delayed due to the onset of the coronavirus disease pandemic which forced the provincial government of South Cotabato to utilize it as a dedicated treatment and isolation facility.
With SGH presently operating as an infirmary, Dr. Borromeo also disclosed plans for it to be upgraded to "a Level II hospital because this institution is ready for a higher level upgrading.” She said the institution could offer the best medical services especially for indigent patients as well as residents of nearby communities.
The plan also includes a proposal for the establishment of a Malasakit Center inside the SGH. Borromeo said, “they required only a-72 square meters area but we have prepared around 111 sqm, and we are hopeful to fix all other requirements by this end of the year.” (AC Agad PIA 12)
