Evardone thanks Marcos for support to Eastern Samar hospitals

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Gov. Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his commitment to provide additional funding to improve the delivery of healthcare services in the province during the President’s visit to the newly reconstructed Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital (FAMH) in Guiuan on Friday, Sept. 25.

Evardone said Marcos had committed an additional P100 million for the improvement of the province’s four district hospitals, on top of the P200 million earlier released for the FAMH.

“This will really be a big help to our people in Eastern Samar,” Evardone said.

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The governor also expressed appreciation for Marcos’ commitment to strengthen government-run hospitals in the province, saying the additional resources would help improve healthcare services for Eastern Samar residents, particularly those from geographically isolated communities.

During the president’s visit, Evardone also personally requested additional medical equipment, including a CT scan machine, to further improve the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of provincial health facilities.

Marcos inspected the reconstructed FAMH in Barangay Poblacion Ward 9-A, Guiuan, accompanied by Education Secretary Sonny Angara who when he was still a senator helped in the rehabilitation of said facility.

The visit marked Marcos’ first trip to Eastern Samar since assuming office and came as the province prepares for the formal opening of the rebuilt hospital on Oct. 7.

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“It’s good to see the hospital rose from the ruins of the original hospital that was completely destroyed by Yolanda,” Marcos said during the inspection.

He also thanked the South Korean government, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), for its assistance in rebuilding the hospital.

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The original FAMH was destroyed when Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Eastern Samar on Nov. 8, 2013, forcing the hospital to operate from a temporary facility while reconstruction was undertaken.

The reconstruction was funded through an US$8.7-million KOICA grant, P200 million secured by then-Senator Angara, and more than P109 million from the Eastern Samar provincial government.

The rebuilt FAMH is a Level 1 public hospital serving residents of Guiuan, including its island barangays, as well as nearby communities.

It currently provides emergency medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, clinical laboratory, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and radiology services.

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Under its five-year development plan, the hospital is expected to expand its services and facilities to include a hemodialysis unit, intensive care unit, CT scan, mammography and laparoscopy.

The hospital has an authorized capacity of 50 beds, but is currently operating with only 25 beds because of limitations in personnel and other resources.

Marcos also vowed to help address the shortage of healthcare workers, particularly nurses, so the hospital could eventually maximize its authorized capacity.

Evardone said the nursing shortage could be addressed partly through the planned opening of nursing programs in Guiuan and Borongan City, which could provide a pool of locally trained healthcare workers for provincial hospitals.

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The governor said the continued support of the national government would be important in ensuring that provincial-run hospitals have the facilities, equipment and personnel needed to provide better healthcare services to Eastern Samar residents. /das