BONTOC, Mountain Province – In response to the need for medical specialists and for enhancing the health services at the Bontoc General Hospital, the Provincial Local Government Unit of Mountain Province represented by Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital (LHMRH) represented by LHMRH Medical Center Chief Eduardo B. Calpito and with said hospital’s medical specialists in this morning’s Provincial Health Board Meeting held at the Provincial Health Office’s Conference Hall, BGH Compound.
According to LHMRH Medical Center Chief Eduardo B. Calpito, the MOA-signing should serve more than just being a licensing requirement but more importantly, it should be an avenue through which additional services can be rendered by the Bontoc General Hospital, it being the second largest hospital in the province catering to many patients in the capital town as well as from nearby provinces.
“This MOA between the Provincial Government and LHMRH is on sharing of resources which is what we are to sign with Gov. Lacwasan,” Dr. Calpito said.
In response, Gov. Lacwasan expressed the Provincial Government’s gratitude to the LHMRH management for its willingness to extend its services to the Bontoc General Hospital.
Three of the four medical specialists concerned were present, namely: Dr. David R. Go, an anesthesiologist; Dr. Annie Claire B. Pekas, a surgeon; and Dr. Marceline K. Bacwaden, an internist. Dr. Elaine C. Jementiza, a pediatrician, from LHMRH will also be joining the group of visiting medical consultants.
“We are for the good of our people. Given the need for more specialists to cater to the influx of patients needing medical attention, we need our partner agencies like the DOH and its subsidiaries. We need the help of our partners if we want to level up,” Lacwasan said.
“We need the services of our colleagues in the various fields of specialization for the required renewal of our DOH License to operate as a hospital as well as for our PHIC accreditation,” Provincial Health Officer II Nenita D. Lizardo said.
Per MOA, the medical specialists are allowed to render services to clients of the Bontoc General Hospital during their off duty hours and be ready to augment in times of emergencies. On fees, service patients shall be free of charge while for PHIC patients at the regular ward, their fees shall be charged to PHIC. However, for private patients, the visiting medical consultants may charge professional fees based on the existing Philippine Health Insurance Corporation rates.
By NDRA
