The Iloilo City Government’s hospital project is now up for bidding.
Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna of the City Health Office (CHO) said the permit to construct the medical facility has already been approved by the Department of Health (DOH).
“Other documents were being arranged for bidding, then the construction of the structure will follow, he added.
The 100-bed hospital will be constructed near the molecular laboratory in Barangay San Pedro, Molo district.
“At least two to two and a half years hopefully, the City Hospital will be ready to operate,” said Fortuna.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has been pushing for the creation of the city’s own hospital to cater to the healthcare needs of more Ilonggos.
“This is one of our priorities to really bring much improved public health service to the Ilonggos, and to also help decongest the private hospitals of patients coming from the city,” he said.
“We have already met with our human resource with regard to the number of personnel needed including doctors, nurses and also utility workers,” the mayor added.
The Level 2 hospital will have, among others, an OB gynecology, general surgery, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
Currently, the city has eight private hospitals and two public hospitals that attend to patients from all over Panay Island, thus reaching full capacity during COVID-19 surge.
“If we will only base on our city residents, there are enough beds on the 10 hospitals located in Iloilo City. However, the rest of other provinces also refer patients here because of the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and for tertiary care that provincial hospitals don’t have,” said Fortuna.IMT
