To improve emergency and essential services in the province, the Department of Health’s Centers for Health Development 1 (DOH-CHD 1), turned over five ambulances and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine to healthcare units to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte on February 1, 2023.
The Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH), Ilocos Norte’s flagship hospital, was the recipient of the MRI machine. The five (5) fully-equipped ambulances were given to the district hospitals in the towns of Sarrat, Piddig, Vintar, Bangui, and to GRBASMH.
These vehicles are among the seven ambulances pledged by the DOH to the province. Two more ambulances are expected to be delivered soon to the province’s second district.
“This is the first time of the history of Ilocos Norte na we will have an MRI machine sa ating mga facilities. So, we’re very glad and honored,” Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc said during the turnover.
He then urged the recipients to look after the medical equipment well and make the best use of it.
Moreover, Governor Marcos Manotoc noted that the province is working to raise the compensation of healthcare professionals and that it plans to add more medical professionals to the province’s workforce in commitment to providing health and welfare assistance to his kakailians.
Dr. Rogelio R. Balbag, Executive Director of the Ilocos Norte Hospital Management Council, also expressed his gratitude to DOH-CHD 1 and the national government for providing funds to improve more health facilities in the province. (Mariell Pahinag)
(Source: Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte – Communications & Media Office)