LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – True to its vision of providing better healthcare service for the Ilokanos, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte recently opened the expansion building of the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASHMH) on May 26.

During the inauguration, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc thanked the Department of Health (DOH) for the P10 million fund which was utilized for the OPD expansion under its Health Facility Enhancement Program.

“We know that this will go a long way in the prolonged and difficult process of improving GRBASMH, but to all of you, I just want to say thank you and reassure you that things will get better. We will employ more people and help equip you,” said Manotoc in his speech.

The DOH grant was used in the improvement of the dialysis center and infrastructure projects such as the hospital’s pavement.

With the call for more doctors and specialists to serve in the province, Dr. Rogelio Balbag, Executive Director of the Ilocos Norte Hospital Management Committee said that the new OPD building will accommodate medical professionals “who are interested in providing their services within the hospital’s sub-specialists field such as rehabilitation medicine, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery, and others.”

They will also be employing nephrologists for its dialysis center.

According to Balbag, several specialists have signified their interest to practice at the hospital.

With this development in the flagship hospital of the provincial government in Ilocos Norte, it is seen to provide better healthcare for the Ilokano community, increase accessibility, and improve patient outcomes. (JCR/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)