TACLOBAN CITY– Health care is now more accessible to the far-reaching communities in San Miguel, a fourth-class municipality in Leyte, as its local government formally launched the San Miguel Municipal Hospital on Monday, September 16.
Atty. Norman D. Sabdao, the municipal mayor of San Miguel, said that the opening of the hospital in Barangay Bairan will serve patients from the town’s 21 barangays.
“This is the result of our shared vision to have a facility that ensures San Miguel residents receive proper care for their medical concerns,” Mayor Sabdao said.
The new hospital has two doctors, six nurses, six midwives, and 10 other health personnel. Pending the procurement of additional equipment, the hospital will utilize the existing facilities of the municipal health unit.
According to Mayor Sabdao, the construction of the hospital began in March 2022 with an initial funding of P5 million from the Development Fund of the LGU. An additional P7 million was allocated in March 2023, and another P8 million in March 2024.
Sabdao noted that with the opening of the new hospital, patients and their families can save money and travel time when they need urgent medical attention, as the public hospital is now within their reach.
San Miguel is an inland municipality located about 40 kilometers from Tacloban City and is home to approximately 20,000 residents.
The mayor added that the hospital will receive an initial medical assistance worth P10 million from Leyte’s first district Representative and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Meanwhile, Gavino Valleramos, Bairan village chairman, extended his deepest thanks to the LGU of San Miguel and said that with this hospital, they no longer need to transport patients outside the town.
Instead, the funds previously used for transportation can now be spent on essential medicines, the barangay official added.
Barangay Santol Punong Barangay Roselda A. Elbore expressed her happiness, stating that the community has been eagerly awaiting the hospital’s opening. She considers it a blessing, especially for the poorer residents of San Miguel.
The San Miguel Municipal Hospital is classified by the Department of Health (DOH) as an infirmary. It has a total bed capacity of 15 and offers outpatient services such as medical consultation, pediatric consultation, obstetrics and gynecology consultation, surgical consultation, pharmacy services, and laboratory services.
Other services provided include minor surgical procedures, dental health services, TB DOTS services, family planning services, maternal and child health care, environmental sanitation, health regulatory activities, medico-legal services, and other DOH special programs.
Dr. Patrick Nanz O. Buatis, Municipal Health Officer of San Miguel, stated that the opening of the local hospital would ensure the delivery of effective and efficient medical and support services, ultimately enhancing the quality of patient care.
He emphasized that the new facility would not only provide timely medical interventions but also improve access to healthcare for the local community, reduce the need for travel to distant facilities, and support overall public health efforts in San Miguel town.
Meanwhile, Marilyn G. Chua, a resident of Brgy. Malaguinabot, said she will be at peace since the new hospital is just a few minutes away from her residence.
“Makalilipay kay hirani na kami. Aagi-an nala namon. Usahay kun waray kami iparasahe, madali nala pag-kanhi ha hospital kun mapatambal (It’s really nice because it’s close to us now. We won’t have to worry about transportation costs when we go to the hospital for treatment),” Chua said. (RLA/PIA-8)
