The Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dagupan City, is set to have a P150 million Maternity and Children’s Hospital by 2026, aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality in the region.
The hospital, part of the Universal Health Care Program (UHCP), underscores the government’s commitment to accessible and equitable health care, particularly for vulnerable communities.
Located in Barangay Poblacion Oeste, the hospital will serve as a Level 1 facility, catering primarily to the island barangays of Lomboy, Pugaro, Salapingao, and Carael, as well as nearby cities and towns.
In a message during the hospital’s groundbreaking in December 2024, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire highlighted the importance of bringing health services closer to underserved areas.
“Here we can see how important and significant the construction of this hospital is, especially as it brings services closer to the communities that greatly need them, particularly in the island barangays of Dagupan City,” Vergeire said.
Regional Director of DOH-CHD Ilocos, Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco, meanwhile stressed that the ultimate goal is the hospital’s completion and operational readiness.
“The mission to ensure the health and well-being of every Filipino, this hospital symbolizes that we can accomplish and come together for a common purpose. With this project, we are taking steps toward making universal health care a reality,” Sydiongco said.
Sydiongco added that Dagupan has the highest maternal and infant death rates in the region and that the hospital will help reduce maternal and child mortality rates, as well as increase immunization coverage and offer holistic care that addresses both physical and mental health.
Dagupan City Mayor Belen F. Fernandez said that the project is not just about the building; it is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and unity.
“This facility will honor the struggles of mothers in our city; it is more than a medical institution—it’s a symbol of hope and compassion, embodying the commitment to providing equitable health care for all. The hospital will serve as a sanctuary for impoverished mothers, offering them a safe and caring environment to bring new life into this world,” Fernandez said.
Comprehensive services and features
Spanning 1,700 square meters, the two-story facility will offer a wide range of medical services, including:
A 6-bed emergency room with a minor operating room;
Level 1 X-ray and primary clinical laboratory;
Operating and delivery rooms;
Dental clinic;
Outpatient services for pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, and obstetrics-gynecology; and
A 24-bed ward, three private rooms, and two isolation rooms.
These features ensure that the hospital can handle routine and emergency cases, providing critical care to mothers and children.
Residents of island barangays, such as Rose Anne Austria from Barangay Calmay, expressed relief at the prospect of having a hospital nearby.
“This is a great help for us. In the past, giving birth was difficult because hospitals were far and often full. This will benefit not just us but the entire community,” Austria said.
This initiative aligns with the eight-point agenda of the health department and the government’s commitment to national development.
By addressing the unique needs of mothers and children, the project aims to uphold the principles of universal health care and ensure that no Filipino is left behind. (PIA Pangasinan)
