OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)-- Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal vowed to continue improving the provincial government’s delivery of quality healthcare and basic public services to all Misamisnons.

Based on the 2022–2023 accomplishment report of the provincial government, the Asenso administration was able to push through several renovations and the construction of healthcare facilities.

Upon Oaminal's assumption of the governor’s office, various issues in the provincial hospital—including the doctors, medical facilities, and supplies—have been addressed through the government’s eagerness to provide quality healthcare for the people.

“Pag-assume nato, atong gitan-aw kung unsay problema, and one of which is, ang facilities medyo musamot og kasakit ang pasyente, kulang sa doctor, walay tambal, paggawas dako pag bayronon. That’s why atong gi-address ang kakulangon sa doctor, tambal ug labaw sa tanan ato na nahatagan og pagtagad nga mo gawas ang pasyente wala nay bayrunon kay nalibri na nato [As we assumed office, we looked at what the problem was,  one of which was that the facilities made the patient's pain a little worse; there was a lack of doctors; there was no medicine; and the fees were high. That's why we have addressed the lack of doctors and medicine, and above all, we have paid attention to the fact that when you leave, the patient will not have to pay because we have paid],” Oaminal said.

Under his helm, Oaminal shepherded the transformation of Misamis Occidental Provincial Health (MOPH) into a more service-oriented hospital—wherein people can feel the care and concern of the provincial government.

Among the renovated hospitals are Calamba District Hospital, Jimenez Medicare Community Hospital, Tudela Municipal Hospital, and Doña Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital.

On top of the abovementioned, Oaminal also initiated the modernization of the Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital, whose formerly 150-bed capacity has been increased to a 500-bed capacity. It was also able to offer specialized medical care.

Oaminal shared his efforts as to how he was able to pool resources to improve the healthcare system in the province.

"The Asenso Misamis Occidental Medical Center, we started it with local government funds—an initial 200 million from the provincial government funds, and then I solicited from the national agencies and the senators because the projection budget for us to complete that hospital because of its desired, upgraded, and improved services will be 1 billion,” he said.

Oaminal also mentioned that he was able to pool at least P400 million through the assistance of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, and Christoper Bong Go.

“For the year 2024, atong target na mahuman gyud na so gi-secure na nato ang pundo, and we were able to secure 450 million to complete the 1 billion budgetary requirements for the new hospital. So, these are major programs in addition to our social services like assistance in times of crisis and burial assistance nga atong gihatag sa atong mga katawhan. We are in full swing of these programs; tungod kay, these are the necessary programs that will expedite the attainment of our 5Ms development thrust,” he added. (PGMO/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)