Ilocos Norte builds oxygen plant to up health program

By Leilanie Adriano 

LAOAG CITY – In a bid to improve its healthcare services, the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH) now has its own oxygen generation and refilling plant.
    Worth PHP20 million, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc on Tuesday said the plant is a big help to patients in hospitals in the province as they no longer have to look far when they need it.
    On a daily basis, the governor relayed that he often sign documents pertaining to medical oxygen procurement which is costly on the part of the government.
    With a great demand for it particularly during emergency situations, the local finance committee said the amount used in establishing the oxygen plant is worth it as it may take only two to three years to recover the total cost of investment.
    As agreed upon between the provincial government and the supplier, Fharoyo Trading will continue to train personnel and maintain the oxygen plant located within the hospital compound.
    Aside from the oxygen plant, other health infrastructure development and upgrading of health facilities are being implemented at the provincial hospital to make it at par with other public hospitals in the country.
    Included in the infrastructure projects at the provincial hospital are the computerized tomography (CT) scan building, renovation of the intensive care unit room, construction of placenta pit, sewerage system, improvement of the dialysis center and operating room complex, and the rehabilitation of comfort rooms, among others.
    As a priority program of his administration, the governor underscored it is worth investing in the health of the residents as they are the greatest assets of the province. -- PNA