By PR | 08:31 PM March 11, 2024
Patients admitted to the 10 provincial government-owned district hospitals that need to be transferred to other medical facilities for further medical intervention can now avail of the use of the hospitals’ ambulance for free.
These cover Natalio Castillo Memorial Hospital in Loon, Maribojoc Community Hospital, Catigbian District Hospital, Clarin Community Hospital, Fransciso Dagohoy Municipal Hospital, Inabanga; Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital, Talibon; Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Memorial Hospital, Pitogo island; Candijay Community Hospital, Teodoro Galagar District Hospital, Jagna; and Cong. Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital, Carmen.
This came about after the passage of Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-020, authored by Board Member Aldner Damalerio of the first district and which was signed by Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado last Jan. 4.
“It used to be nga kung na-admit ka ani nga hospitals, dad-on ka sa Tagbilaran for example, pabayron pa sa pagamit maong hospital services pero sugod adtong Jan. 4, ang pagpirma sa atong governor, libre na ang pagamit sa atong hospital ambulances,” Damalerio said in his social media post last March 11.
The use of province-owned ambulances cost around P1,000 depending on the distance travelled by the vehicle.
Damalerio also shared the process of enacting the ordinance from discussions with chiefs of hospitals, barangay level consultations, deliberations with colleagues at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), committee meetings, and plenary session hearings.
The ordinance not only outlines guidelines on the free use of district hospital ambulances but also enumerates prohibited acts.
This includes collection of fees, refusal to render the service, recreational or private use of the vehicle, and transport of cadavers with the exemption of medical outreach programs and other hospital or disaster operations.
Damalerio expressed hope that Boholanos in need will come to appreciate the benefits of the ordinance as he thanked the governor and the SP for the support of its passage.
The provincial government, under its strategic governance agenda, commits to make resilient communities through the creation of inclusive health and social services. (PIMO/LMS)
