DOH conducts hospital development plan review for La Union , Pangasinan health facilities

Posterity shot of participants of the consultative and review session from the provinces of La Union and Pangasinan  

THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region held a consultative and review session of hospital development plans (HDPs) of various DOH and district hospitals of La Union and Pangasinan to assess and ensure that health infrastructure inputs are available and appropriate to deliver the necessary health services and goods for province-wide health system. 

“Even with the continuous improvement of our health care system, we still face challenges and inequities. And us policymakers we have to be prepared and work together to fill the gaps and integrate our local health facilities into province-wide health systems and strengthen our health care provider network (HCPN) to better serve our people,” Undersecretary for Universal Health Care (UHC) Health Services Cluster for Northern and Central Luzon Rosario S. Vegeire stated. 

“Napakaimportante na ang mga health facilities natin ay may established na HCPN upang magkaroon ng isang policy at isang direction for patients to navigate to have better access to health care services.” 

“And to realize UHC, our HDPs must include the three major components critical in achieving our vision – kasama dito ang ang financing, facility at human resource.” 

The HDP is essential for improving patient care, meeting regulatory requirements, and ensuring organizational sustainability and growth. It provides a clear roadmap for achieving long-term objectives through specific strategies and action plans.

It outlines a hospital’s term goals, vision, and mission. It includes an analysis of internal and external factors, allocation of resources, and metrics for measuring progress and success.

It aligns its resources and efforts, helps anticipate and manage risks, and ensures that all stakeholders are working towards common goals. 

The HDP also aims to provide equitable, quality healthcare by establishing specialty centers, upgrading facilities, and strengthening public-private partnerships. It sets objectives, strategies and budget requirements to improve infrastructure, equipment, financing, and community linkages at hospitals nationwide over the next 5 years. 

Among the health facilities that presented their HDPs in La Union were the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center – La Union, La Union Medical Center, and the Bacnotan, Balaoan, Caba, Naguilian and Rosario district hospitals. 

In Pangasinan, Region 1 Medical Center, Conrado F. Estrella Regional and Trauma Medical Center, and the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center – Dagupan City. 

Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco disclosed that the presented plans have steadily improved but still, some requirements and gaps need to be fulfilled. 

“For La Union, we have computed gaps of 14 primary care facilities (PCFs) and 136 beds for level I and level II hospitals and in Pangasinan, we need 78 more PCFs and 501 beds for level I and 2. At lahat ng ito ay dapat sama-sama nating bigyan ng solusyon – kasama ang tulong ng ating mga apex hospitals sa mga probinsya for the benefit of our patients,”Sydiongco added. 

The Hospital Development Plan Consultative and Review Session for health facilities of La Union and Pangasinan was held in San Juan, La Union on October 23, 2024.