IMUS CITY, Cavite — Department of Health Region 4-A (Calabarzon) Director Eduardo C. Janairo lauded city officials for the “legendary first” public hospital in the district and vowed his continued support to make it a facility of choice among local folks here.
Speaking during the soft launching of ‘Ospital ng Imus’ in Malagasang I-G village on Friday, Janairo said “if the local health facilities are capacitated and reliable to provide the health needs of local folks, this will prevent patients from seeking health care from distant health facilities, therefore cost-effective and can also save lives.”
He proposed, among others, the inclusion of an additional wellness center to augment the hospital’s medical services.
He expressed joy that the city officials are “positive with the idea because they themselves are wellness-conscious.”
The DOH has provided two-thirds of the PHP300-million budgetary requirements for the hospital’s infrastructure and equipment with the formal turnover of the public hospital to the city government in April this year.
The city officials, referred as “Team One Imus,” credited the hospital’s realization due to their unity and their common goal in promoting quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for Imuseños and Caviteños alike.
Rep. Alex Advincula said in 2010, then Rep. Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi initiated the hospital project until his tireless efforts came into fruition in 2014, when the DOH-Calabarzon granted funding for the first phase of its construction, consisting of emergency room, minor operating room, hospital lobby and doctor rooms, followed by succeeding lobbying for the hospital’s second phase.
On the initiative of the young Maliksi, now the incumbent city mayor, the DOH funding was augmented with local funds for purposes of site development (PHP12 million), improvement of the hospital’s facilities which included its road networks (PHP28 million) and another PHP15 million for the construction of the hospital’s sewerage treatment plant.
The three-story hospital provides major and minor operating capabilities and offers ancillary services such as laboratory, X-ray, and ultrasound, and considered as one of the biggest projects of the city to date. (/PNA)
