The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Board recently approved the creation of three sub-provincial health services, out of six inter local health zones, in compliance with the provisions of Universal Health Care.
Lacson said the 1st and 2nd districts will be merged into one sub-provincial health service (SPHS), 3rd and 4th district into another SPHS, and the 5th and 6th district as the third SPHS.
Discussing it with local chief executives who attended the Provincial Health Board meeting at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, Lacson said the mayors agreed to it, since the success of the UHC program is dependent on the support of the provincial government.
Under the UHC program, all Filipinos will be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program, which will allow them to access government health services such as medicines, diagnostic tests, and primary health care.
With the merging of inter local health zones, Lacson said there will be Level 1 and 2 hospitals that will cater the needs of Negrenses.
They are aiming to make Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City into a Level 3 hospital, and Cadiz District Hospital, Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City, and Valladolid District Hospital into Level 2 hospitals.
The Metro Third District mayors also signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the Inter-LGU cooperation of the Northern and Central Inter Health Zone.
It was signed by Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, Murcia Mayor Gerardo Rojas, with Councilor Edmer Agravante, representing E.B. Magalona, Mayor Marvin Malacon, Assistant City Administrator Ismael Penado, who represented Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, hospital chief of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Hospital, and Adrian Hort Ramos, who represented the Department of Health.
(Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy by TVDS)