LA TRINDAD, Benguet – The Benguet General Hospital received a new Computed Tomography (CT) scan machine from the Department of Health, which will help in the response against the continuing threat of Covid-19 and in detecting other emerging diseases especially among indigent patients.
DOH Usec. Mario Villaverde and DOH-Cordillera Director Rio Magpantay turned over the new CT scan machine to Gov. Melchor Diclas, BeGH Chief Maria Imelda Ulep, and Provincial Health Officer Nora Ruiz during the blessing and program at the BeGH on June 9. A representative from the Office of Benguet caretaker Eric Yap was also present during the turnover ceremony.
BeGH is among the first hospitals provided with a new CT scan machine funded under the loan agreement of the Philippine government through the Department of Finance with the Asian Development Bank, to respond to the current health emergency of the country dubbed as the “Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit” or HEAL Project.
Villaverde said through the HEAL Project, CT scan machines will be provided to 33 hospitals in the country for use in addressing Covid-19 cases but beyond the pandemic, the machine could be used for other needs of the people in the hospitals.
“We fervently hope that this project will enable our government to respond not only to the continuing threat of Covid-19 but to the other emerging and re-emerging diseases which may endanger the lives of the ordinary Filipino as well,” Villaverde said.
“The mission is not yet over but let us continue to persevere to make sure that all Filipinos are afforded the highest quality accessible and equitable healthcare services that our citizens truly deserve,” he added.
He also commended the local government of Benguet and the hospital project team in providing the necessary retrofitting works and preparing the site of the equipment and facilitating the expedient operationalization of the machine which immediately contributed to the strengthening to the healthcare system.
Ulep said the new CT scan machine will replace the old one that bogged down in 2019 compelling patients requiring CT scan to be referred to other healthcare facilities.
“With the new machine, patients needing CT scan will no longer be sent to other private hospitals and institutions,” Diclas said as he assured the machine will serve its purpose for the people of Benguet especially the indigent patients.
He called on hospital personnel to take good care of the machine so it will serve more patients.
Ulep said personnel who will operate the machine have already completed their training and are now working with the DOH for the license to operate the CT scan machine.
Magpantay, lauded the partnership of the DOH and provincial government of the Benguet and assured the continued support to the BeGH, which is managed by the PLGU. – Redjie Melvic Cawis
