Provincial government upgrades Capitol clinic

CEBU, Philippines — Capitol employees will soon have access to expanded healthcare services within the Cebu Provincial Capitol compound as the provincial government moves forward with the construction of a P5-million upgraded clinic that will house additional medical facilities and specialized healthcare services.

The project involves the conversion of the former Provincial Tourism Office into a primary healthcare facility aimed at providing more comprehensive medical services to Capitol employees and the public.

According to Dr. Nikki Catalan, public health consultant of the Cebu provincial government, the initiative is part of Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s healthcare thrust and is intended to bring primary healthcare services closer to government workers.

“Naa man juy clinic ang Capitol to begin with but karon nagkadaghan ang employees nga naa diri. So instead of sending them out, we can do it here,” Catalan said.

Once completed, the upgraded facility will function as a primary healthcare center accredited under the PhilHealth's Yaman sa Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and will include a pharmacy accredited under Yakap-Gamot, a minor operating room, a Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) clinic, a laboratory, and diagnostic imaging services.

The facility will also offer external healthcare services such as a tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (TB-DOTS) center, animal bite treatment services, and a dental clinic.

She added that the upgraded clinic is envisioned as a model healthcare unit similar to those found in hospitals.

“Mura siyag model unit atong mga hospitals,” she said.

Catalan said the project carries an estimated budget of P5 million, covering the construction and improvement of the former tourism office.

The public health consultant explained that the building was chosen because of its accessibility and visibility within the Capitol grounds.

Despite the expanded services, Catalan clarified that the province will not need to hire additional personnel or purchase new major equipment for the facility.

“In terms of manpower naa na daan but they are just given additional facility,” she said.

She added that most of the necessary medical equipment is already available.

Construction work has already started, with demolition and retrofitting activities currently underway inside the former tourism office building.

The provincial government is targeting the completion of the facility within approximately 65 days, or sometime in August this year.

Catalan said the upgraded clinic will help ensure that Capitol employees can access primary healthcare services without having to leave the government center.

Eligible services under the Yakap-Gamot program will remain free of charge for beneficiaries.

“In line ni siya sa thrust ni Gov nga healthcare. It's one way nga atong own employees diri can also avail of it and ma-close na diri ang primary care unit,” she said. — (FREEMAN)