A P30 million state-of-the-art CT Scan machine was inaugurated by the officials of the Department of Health at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City yesterday.

Health Undersecretary David Lozada yesterday said patients will no longer have to go to other provinces like Iloilo to have a CT Scan.

Dr. Julius Drilon, CLMMRH head, said this is part of the facility enhancement program of the Aquino Health Agenda since the CLMMRH is a DOH-retained hospital. This is just the start of the modernization of the CLMMRH, he said.

The CT Scan is one of the highly technologically advanced units of the hospital and the price of the equipment is about P30 million, which includes power connection, he added.

Drilon said “Our prices must be much lower than the prevailing prices of other facilities in Bacolod City.”

Patients who need a CT Scans due to head trauma, head tumor or stroke, should avail of their CT Scan so their doctors can intervene early and operate, and so chances of survival will be higher, he said.

Drilon said that, once their Radiologic Sciences building on the second floor of the West Tower is finished, that will probably be one of the best in Radiologic Sciences in the whole Island of Negros. It will be very modern since it will be fully computerized, he said.

All other machines that will be included in the preparation of the site will cost about of P74 million, excluding the CT Scan, Drilon said.

They are very thankful to Health Secretary Enrique Ona for his support in the development of the CLMMRH in Bacolod City, he said.

Dr. Nenita Dumaguit, head of the CLMMRH Radiology Department, said the CT Scan is one of the most modern machines in Western Visayas and prices range from P3,000 to P12,000 depending on the examinations needed.

Even outpatients including the poor can avail of the services of the CT Scan, she said. “Probably we can start scheduling patients two to three weeks from now since we have to train our workers first before we can fully operate,” she added.

Meanwhile, Lozada said the priority of the DOH is to increase the number of PhilHealth members, especially among the poor, so they can avail of health services.

“Our health facilities are not only provided in hospitals of the DOH, but also in the hospitals of local governments, including health centers and barangay health stations,” Lozada said.

They are encouraging mothers to give birth in health facilities to help decongest big hospitals which should only be for severe cases, he said.

He added that he was informed by Drilon that there is a reduction in the number of deliveries in the hospitals which shows that mothers have confidence to give birth in birthing facilities, he added.

Lozada said they are also pursuing the Millennium Development Goal to reduce the number of mothers and children who are dying in this country. About 50 percent of deaths involve mothers and children so they are encouraging mothers to give birth in birthing facilities, he said.

Also present was DOH regional director Ariel Valencia.*CGS

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