Solon pushes for “tertiary hospital” in Bantayan

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon is pushing for the establishment of a national hospital in Bantayan Island which will serve as a “tertiary” hospital to cater the entire island.

Salimbangon filed House Bill No. 4802 seeking the establishment of a 100-bed capacity hospital to be located in the municipality of Bantayan. Salimbangon added in his proposal that tourist destinations should have a tertiary hospital.

Aside from the growing population in the island composed of the municipalities of Bantayan, Sta. Fe and Madridejos, Salimbangon said the establishment of a tertiary hospital has become urgently necessary.

As of the 2012 census, the population of the entire island has already reached 143,562.

A district hospital run by the provincial government of Cebu is located in Bantayan town but the establishment is still a primary health care facility which can only provide basic services as compared to the advanced levels, based on the classification of hospitals of the Department of Health, which can already provide more services like surgeries and operations.

According to DOH’s classification of hospitals, a level three classification is the highest category for hospitals.

Salimbangon proposed that if a tertiary hospital would be established in the island, it should be run by DOH.

“The lack of tertiary general hospital as a requirement for a tourist destination has become more imminent to address the medical needs of the entire population of the island and the tourists both local and foreign,” said Salimbangon.

The province-run Severo Verallo Memorial Hospital in Bogo City was upgraded into a level 1 facility early this year but would still need an hour and a half travel time by boat from the island.

The only hospitals available for tertiary services are the ones located in Cebu City which will take four hours of travel by land and sea from Bantayan Island.

“Based on the foregoing, the establishment of a national hospital in the area would provide a solution to the medical needs of the growing population of the island and for the increasing number of tourist per year,” he said.

Considering the limited resources of the local government, Salimbangon said the national government, through the DOH, can effectively run and operate a hospital of this nature and can handle the delivery of the major health services. — Gregg M. Rubio (FREEMAN)