Pinamungajan’s hospital now offers X-ray services

CEBU, Philippines — After operating for 33 years without a functioning X-ray machine, Pinamungajan District Hospital has finally launched its first X-ray service through a P5-million digital X-ray machine.

The milestone was highlighted during the hospital's 33rd founding anniversary celebration on Thursday, where Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Public Health consultant Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan led the groundbreaking of the hospital's first sewage treatment plant (STP) and announced other infrastructure improvements aimed at modernizing the facility.

The provincial government procured the P5-million digital X-ray machine late last year.

Although the hospital had an X-ray room since it opened in 1993, it had never operated an X-ray machine.

Before the equipment could be put into service, the province completed staffing and regulatory requirements, including the hiring of two radiologic technologists and securing the necessary license to operate the facility.

Catalan said the activation of the digital X-ray service would significantly improve access to healthcare for residents of Pinamungajan and neighboring areas.

"Dili na need ang mga residents nga moadto pa sa lagyo ug private institutions," said Catalan. She added that the hospital now has two radiologic technologists assigned to operate the equipment and disclosed that the facility currently has what she described as the province's most advanced digital X-ray machine.

"At the moment, ang kani nga district hospital ang pinaka hi-tech nga X-ray machine at the moment," she added.

Officer-in-Charge Chief of Hospital Dr. Glyla Mae Galban said radiologic technologists are currently available until the late-night shift, while the hospital is working toward providing round-the-clock X-ray services.

Aside from the new diagnostic facility, the hospital also broke ground for its first eco-friendly sewage treatment plant, which is expected to properly treat hospital wastewater before it is discharged, helping protect public health and the environment.

The project forms part of the provincial government's P65.9-million allocation for sewage treatment facilities that will benefit nine provincial and district hospitals.

Pinamungajan District Hospital received the biggest allocation at P9.1 million.

Galban said the sewage treatment plant will not only ensure proper wastewater treatment but also allow water to be reused.

"Dako gyud siya nga tabang kay aside sa iyahang i-treat ang water, ma-recycle pa siya," said Galban.

The hospital has also expanded its workforce from a little over 60 personnel before the current provincial administration to 106 employees.

Other ongoing improvements include the construction of a hazardous waste building, repairs to hospital buildings 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8, repainting of hospital buildings and perimeter fences, and the construction of an ambulance parking and maintenance building.