PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Residents of Narra and other nearby towns in southern Palawan can expect upgraded medical health care following the opening recently of the PHP117-million Narra Municipal Hospital (NMH) that has a 50-bed capacity.
“With the opening on June 27 of the new hospital in Narra, Governor (Jose) Alvarez expects that medical and health care services will improve in the town and will also be able to serve others in nearby municipalities,” said Gil Acosta Jr., information officer of the provincial government of Palawan, on Monday.
He said the construction of the NMH in Barangay Antipuluan was jointly undertaken by the province with the Department of Health-Mimaropa and the municipal government under Mayor Lucena Demaala.
Out of the total budget for construction, the amount of PHP14,871,550 went to the purchasing of hospital equipment.
The NMH has a laboratory room, CT scan room, dietary and linen building, isolation building, material recovery facility, doctor and nurse quarters, mortuary, powerhouse, and other facilities.
Acosta said the hospital is equipped with a CCTV to monitor daily activities and prevent untoward incidents, paging system, intercom, and fire protection and alarm system.
Meanwhile, Demaala expressed thanks for the new hospital, which she said is “an important element of the health care system” for residents of Narra.
“Nagpupugay tayo sa Panginoon dahil ang inaasam-asam natin ay nandito na, tatlong taon nating inantay ito. Ito ang commitment ni Gov. Alvarez under IHELP Program. Itong hospital ay bukas din sa ating karatig munisipyo lalo na sa mga residente ng Narra (We praise God for the accomplishment of what we have hoped for, waiting for it for three years. It is the commitment of Gov. Alvarez under IHELP Program. This hospital is open to everyone in neighboring towns, especially for the people of Narra),” she said.
IHELP (Infrastructure, Health, Education, Livelihood, Protection of the Environment) is the provincial government’s development agenda for Palawan.
She said NMH is now ready to operate with three doctors, 14 nurses, five nurse attendants, and four registered midwives. (Celeste Anna Formoso/PNA)
