Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda and Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda led officials in Pampanga province and the Department of Health (DOH) in inaugurating the newly-renovated main building of the Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital (DPMMH) here on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
The main building now houses the operating room and delivery room complex, emergency room, tertiary laboratory, 2D-echo as well as X-ray and ultrasound rooms, according to Dr Fleur Zapanta, DPMMH chief of hospital.
It also houses the pharmacy, cashier, admitting section, hospital information system management office, chapel and air-conditioned rooms for post-operations patients, Zapanta said.
In another building, she said the DPMMH operates the provincial government’s molecular laboratory that conducts COVID-19 tests. For two years, the DPMMH functioned as the provincial government’s first center that handled hundreds of patients with mild to moderate symptoms of the coronavirus. Governor Pineda opened four more isolation, quarantine and treatment facilities in New Clark City, Mexico and Lubao towns, Romana Pangan District Hospital (RPDH) and selected hotels.
The DPMMH will soon open its own dialysis center, Governor Pineda announced. The Anak Kalusugan partylist funded the building while the DPWH constructed it. Pagcor gave funds for the purchase of 20 dialysis machines at the DPMMH and a CT-Scan at the RPDH.
“Inayos po natin ang provincial hospital at inaayos pa natin ang sampu nating district hospitals para mas maganda ang serbisyong pang-medikal at pangkalusugan sa mga mahihirap nating mga kabalen,” Governor Pineda remarked.
The governor thanked Vice Governor Pineda and provincial board members for approving health and medical projects and services including the corresponding budgets for these.
Vice Governor Pineda said the renovation of DPMMH gave a big boost to the Alagang Nanay Preventive Health Care program of the provincial government. Approved last August, the program provides medical checkups, laboratory tests, medicines and support services for the early detection and treatment of ailments.
“Masaya ako ngayong umaga dahil madadagdagan nanaman ang mga beds natin, magbubukas na ang ospital natin na talagang makakatulong para sa preventive health care natin,”said Vice Governor Nanay.
Health Undersecretary Maria Francia Laxamana also lauded the efforts of the leaders of the province and pledged full support to the health care programs and services of the provincial government.
As a Level 1 hospital, Zapanta said the DPMMH operates an emergency room, laboratory, pharmacy, and X-ray and ultrasound services on a 24-hour basis. It also provides CT-Scan and animal bite treatment five times a week. Its outpatient units in pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, and surgery render services six times weekly.
Zapanta said facilities including the expertise and dedication of 276 medical, nursing, ancillary and administrative personnel make for high-quality health care at the DPMMH.
The governor assured: “Walang mahirap na Kapampangan ang hindi masusuri ng doctor o makakatanggap ng pangangailangang medikal sa ating mga ospital. ‘Yan po ang tinutupad naming pangarap ni Vice Governor Nanay at ng mga provincial board members. Pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo na kasama kong nagbibigay ng serbisyo na ayusin po natin ang pakikiharap po natin sa mga pasyente at sa mga tao dahil lahat po sila ay lubos na nangangailangan ng ating tulong.”