Bontoc, Mtn. Prov. – More dialysis patients can now avail of dialysis treatment at the Bontoc General Hospital (BoGH) with the newly improved clinic and with the addition of 10 dialysis machines from the Department of Health (DOH).
“The BoGH has now a total of 14 dialysis machines to accommodate more patients. There is no need for them to travel to distant hospitals just to receive dialysis treatment since the medical services that they need are already here at the BoGH,” said BoGh chief, Dr. Raquel Tannao S. Kanongkong after the ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing of the newly renovated dialysis rooms and machines last Tuesday, March 12.
Previously, the hospital has been conducting dialysis on limited patients using only 4 dialysis machines that it acquired beforehand. With the increasing number of dialysis patients in the province, Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. and the BoGH chief requested for additional machines from the DOH.
“Knowing that our hospital is a critical access facility, we acknowledge the importance of sourcing out assistance from partner stakeholders to augment the existing fund of the provincial government for the realization of our goal – to provide quality health care services to the people,” Dr. Kanongkong remarked.
The Chief of Hospital thanked the DOH for granting the request of the provincial government for the provision of the dialysis machines and acknowledged the full support of Gov. Lacwasan and other provincial officials for the programs and endeavors of the health sector in the province. She also recognized the General Services Office for providing the necessary manpower in the renovation of the dialysis clinic.
She also emphasized the important efforts of the government and non-government sectors in the province for conducting fund raising activities to augment the other expenses of the dialysis patients.
Meanwhile, Gov. Lacwasan assured that the provincial government will allot a budget for the maintenance of the dialysis machines as its counterpart.
The governor said that the dialysis machines from the DOH means a lot to our constituents who are suffering from kidney disease, especially to those from the capital town and neighboring municipalities.
Lacwasan assured that the provincial government will prioritize the modernization of the provincial hospitals, particularly the BoGH.
“Our constituents will soon start to feel our facility’s enhanced services when they will start to reap from the improvements that this critical facility is undergoing,” Lacwasan said.
The blessing started with a Eucharistic celebration that was officiated by Rev. Fr. Marcial Lloyd Castañeda and Rev. Fr. Michael Tokoyen.
In his homily, Fr. Castañeda said that the activity showcases everyone’s concern to the well-being of our fellowmen and the blessing of the machines will reflect the goodness of God to each one of us. With this, he emphasized selfless service in the delivery of duties and responsibilities of public servants.
He also stressed responsible stewardship of the machines that was entrusted to the care of the hospital. According to him, this is the most important aspect in delivering the needed services that the machines offer.
“The machines were entrusted to us, in return, it is our part and part of our services as responsible stewards to take good care of these while assuring that these will be put to good use,” he emphasized. **Erwin S. Batnag
