The new Northern Palawan Provincial Hospital situated at Sitio Arado II, Brgy. Poblacion, Taytay, Palawan was inaugurated on September 9, 2021, and will gradually start its operation with the Outpatient Department.
According to the Provincial Infrastructure Unit Head Engr. Saylito Purisima, the total cost of the 50-bed capacity hospital is estimated to be around P153 million including its equipment.
“As far as [the] actual cost of these facilities, about P111 million ang main building, 50 bed capacity including all other facilities, and ang cost naman ng equipment ay P52 million,” Purisima said.
“Immediately after the inauguration today [September 9, 2021], tomorrow [September 10, 2021] they will gradually transfer and start their operation but not immediate total transfer. Progressive ‘yung mode of transfer ng operation dito ‘cause it’s not easy to set up [the] hospital equipment facilities. But definitely bukas, nag-usap na kami ni Chief of Hospital Dr Ang, na malamang ang OPD (Outpatient Department) [ay] dito na gagawin,” he added.
Engr. Purisima also describes the NPPH as the main catchment area of the north, which has over 100 personnel, and the biggest hospital in the northern part of Palawan.
“Right now, we have more than 100 personnel. Itong Northern Palawan Provincial Hospital, ito ‘yung pinaka malaking hospital sa north kasi we called it as [the] ‘main catchment area of the north’. Counterpart dito sa Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital…”
He also said that the NPPH will continue to accept applicants but in the more medical-related field especially nurses as it is one of the basic requirements by the Department of Health (DOH).
“We will continue hiring because napakalaking operation nitong NPPH. Problematic natin ngayon in human resources is nurses [and] medical health workers. ‘Yung mga admin works, madali lang ‘yan pero ‘yung mga nurses, medtech [and] pharmacist…ito ang ating mga kulang ngayon lalo na sa nurses talaga. ‘Yun ang mga basic requirements DOH na iko-comply talaga base on the capacity of the hospital,” Purisima said
Furthermore, Chief of Hospital, Dr. Juvelito Ang, said that the amount of money the provincial government has spent on the hospital does not determine its worth but how it will serve the patients and be reliable to them.
“This infrastructure will be here beyond our time. It will be not be determined how expensive the government has spent [on] the equipment that are inside the hospital but rather the people that will take care of this hospital. ‘Yun po ang napaka importante, the help that we can serve our patients most especially they will rely on us,” Ang said.
Meanwhile, the previous NPPH building will be converted into temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.
