CAMIGUIN (PIA) -- Prioritizing the well-being of the people in the province and ensuring access to quality healthcare services, Camiguin General Hospital (CGH) is poised to level up its status to a Level 2 hospital this year as part of the initiative to support and reinforce healthcare provisions across the province.

CGH HRMO Jaime M. Baclayo stated during a radio program that the planned infrastructure and facility improvements would improve service delivery and raise the standard of care available from CGH.

Recently, CGH received P225 million from Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo for a health facility enhancement project aimed at expanding the hospital's infrastructure, thus strengthening its capacity to cater to the growing healthcare needs of the province.

“Visionary jud sila ug magpasalamat ta na nga iya na jud gihunahuna. Gani karon nag-antos man atong processing nga mano-mano pa siya tungod we don’t have that hospital information system nga paspas. So with the advent niana, sa pagpaabot niini nga ma-realize na siya, ma-improve atong serbisyo," Baclayo said.

[They are truly visionary, and we should be thankful for what they have envisioned. Currently, our processing is manual because we don't have a fast hospital information system yet. So with the advent of that, as we await its realization, our services will improve.]

CGH Medical Center Chief, Dr. Gretchen Cabalang, emphasized the significance of achieving competency in service delivery, augmenting staff numbers to alleviate burnout concerns, and embracing digitalization for efficient operations and enhanced patient care.

She also recognized the challenges caused by the lack of licensing, a critical barrier preventing CGH from autonomously operating its blood bank. The doctor further emphasized the implications of this limitation, particularly the accessibility of blood transfusions for patients within the province.

“Ang problem man jud nato kay atong blood bank, kay tungod dili ta licensed, kung magkinahanglan atong mga pasyente og dugo, kinahanglan nga mudagan pa ta sa Cagayan para mukuha og dugo because dili pa ta allowed. Even though we have med techs here who can do it but wala pa ta’y license to do it, which dili pa jud ta mahatagan because of the licensing requirements," Cabalang said.

[The main issue we have is with our blood bank because we are not licensed. When our patients need blood, they have to travel to Cagayan to get it because we are not allowed to provide it here. Even though we have medical technologists who can perform the procedures, we still lack the license to operate, and we cannot obtain it due to the licensing requirements.]

Cabalang outlined CGH's commitment to coordinating its goals with Rep. Romualdo and Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo's vision for the development of healthcare services in the province.

She emphasized the pressing need for regulatory support and strategic interventions to empower CGH in fulfilling its mandate as a provider of quality healthcare services to the people of Camiguin.

“Ang atong damgo jud is to align gyud sa gusto nila congressman ug ni governor para sa Camiguin, and that is ang paghatag ug tukma na serbisyo," she added.

[Our dream really is to align with the desires of the Congressman and the Governor for Camiguin, and that is to provide appropriate services.]

Highlighting this concern, Cabalang said if the residents want to have staff who can provide accurate and quality services, CGH also needs to take care of its employees. She emphasized the importance of nurturing a supportive environment for CGH's workforce, prioritizing staff welfare, and ensuring competence among personnel to effectively deliver and provide quality healthcare services.

As CGH celebrates its 65th founding anniversary, the goal to elevate CGH to a Level 2 hospital reflects significant progress in improving Camiguin's healthcare system's accessibility and quality. With strong infrastructure improvements and a determined dedication to quality, CGH is poised to provide excellent healthcare service in the province, emphasizing its commitment to the welfare of the Camiguinon people. (KAPG/PIA-10/Camiguin)