ISABELA CITY, Basilan, May 18 (PIA) – The Isabela City de Basilan formally opens this month its first DOH-accredited clinical laboratory to provide better and accessible health services to Isabeleños.

Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman in her message during the inauguration, stressed that the laboratory will be accessible for medical needs not only for Isabeleños, but as well as to the residents of Basilan. She also expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders for their support and commitment to a medically-forward Isabela City.

Mayor Turabin-Hataman also narrated some challenges they experienced before the Department of Health has finally approved the establishment of the said laboratory. She also acknowledged the effort of City Health Office staff who facilitated all the requirements of the Department of Health.

“Nagpursige po tayo na talagang pinush natin na mapondohan yung laboratory natin. Gusto ko rin talagang pasalamatan si Chrizan. May mga panahong nag-gigive up na ako pero talagang si Chrizan ang nagpursige. And finally we are very thankful that it is already here, so maraming maraming salamat at ito po ay para sa inyo lalong lalo nga sa mga taga Isabela (We persisted and push to fund our laboratory. I would also to thank Chrizan who facilitated the processing of all the requirements and even sometimes I want to give up but she worked for it. And finally, we are very thankful that its is already here. Thank you, and this is for all of you especially to Isabeleños),” Mayor Hataman said as she thanked Chrizan Puno Mijares, Medical Technologist of the City Health Office.

Meanwhile, City Health Officer Dr. Mohrein Ismael VI promised that they will work hard to provide best health services for the people of Basilan.

For his part, Vice Mayor Kifli Salliman also emphasized the importance of investing for the health of the constituents of Isabela City.

“Napakahalaga po ng kalusugan natin, at napakahalaga na talagang mag invest tayo sa health para sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Isabela City (Our health is very important, and it is very important for us to invest for the health of our constituents here in Isabela City),” he said.

The Clinical Laboratory offers Complete Blood Count (CBC), Blood Chemistry like lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, creatinine, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), urinalysis, stool examination and tuberculosis via molecular testing (GeneExpert).

The City Health Clinical Laboratory was built through the city’s development fund with P2,986,767.45 project cost. Other machines were donated by generous private stakeholders. (RVC/NDR/PIA Basilan)