DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos turned over medical equipment to the provincial government of Pangasinan to be utilized at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital for the delivery of quality and cost-effective treatment.
 
The DOH provided two units of electrocardiogram (ECG) machines with analyzers, one unit of ventilator, one set of laryngoscopes, and one unit of automatic external defibrillator amounting to P1,752,829.
 
DOH Ilocos regional director Paula Paz Sydiongco led the turnover of medical equipment to Governor Ramon Guico III on Monday, March 27 after the latter’s first State of the Province Address (SOPA).
 
Sydiongco said, “We have to give our health facilities quality medical equipment to ensure a strong and consistent workflow. We don’t want delays to happen during essential procedures because it can have serious consequences. A machine that breaks down or works inaccurately can cause a life-and-death situation.”
 
She said, “The quality and safety of health services delivered are fundamental to improving the population’s health, that is why we are determined to improve public health systems and sustain this progress in order to cope with the constant demand for better health and also to realize the vision of better health through Universal Health Care.”
 
“Equipment efficiency provides high-quality patient care and also saves cost. We are providing high-quality care using fewer resources but this doesn’t compromise the quality of care given to patients,” she added.

Governor Guico expressed his gratitude for the equipment and assured that it will be well-maintained and taken care of to work as efficiently and effectively as long as possible.
 
“We thank the DOH Ilocos for this donation, this will be of great help for the improvement of productivity of our hospital,” he emphasized.
 
Meanwhile, the governor mentioned in his SOPA that the Provincial Hospital Management Services Office was established under his administration to simplify the operation and management of the 14 hospitals run by the province, including maximum utilization of available resources.
 
He added, “The e-KONSULTA, for instance, multiplies provincial health services to all our constituents in partnership with the DOH which is a game-changing innovation in our integrated health care system.”
 
He explained that through the e-KONSULTA PLUS, the provincial government becomes the “Big Brother” to all 47 local government units of the province through the 14 hospitals in Pangasinan.
 
This “Big Brother” initiative, he said, makes it possible for the province to assist all cities and municipalities in Pangasinan in providing health care services to Pangasinenses.
 
Further, he thanked the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City for the partnership with the Pangasinan hospitals so that medical specialists are deployed to them to address the critical and curative needs of the people. (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)