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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider DOH eyes mental health hospital in Negros Occidental

DOH eyes mental health hospital in Negros Occidental

Published Oct 17, 2024 05:56 am

BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Health is eyeing the construction of a mental health hospital in Negros Occidental.

This was revealed by Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, DOH Undersecretary for Visayas, in a phone interview on Wednesday, Oct. 16, a day after a transition team of the DOH-Negros Island Region paid a courtesy call on Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the provincial capitol to discuss the implementation of the NIR Act and the creation of the NIR Center for Health Development.

DOH-NIR VISITORS.jpeg

THE transition team of the Department of Health-Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) pays a courtesy call on Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the provincial capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday, Oct. 15. (Capitol PIO photo)

Maestral said that there is no mental health facility in Negros Island and building such facility in the province is her pet project. “That’s why I accepted the position in the DOH because it’s a dream to build such facility and we wanted to achieve it,” she said.

She said the DOH has the money and capacity to build and run such facility and are coordinating with the province to look for a lot or space.

Lacson told Maestral that he will look for the needed property.

Maestral said that they came from Negros Oriental and met Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria and mayors to discuss their expectations since the regional office will be established in the province.

Maestral said that the DOH is all set for the transition. She added that they are just awaiting the final the implementing rules and regulations of the NIR Act.

The NIR is composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

She said that they will employ at least 40 personnel for the DOH-NIR and assist local government units and areas with no doctors.

Maestral thanked Lacson for providing an office for the DOH Undersecretary for Visayas at the Negros Residences here.

With the transition team was Dr. Razel Nikka Hao, DOH-NIR director. Dr. Girlie Pinongan, head of the Negros Occidental Hospital Operations Department, also joined the meeting.

Related Tags

Negros Island Region (NIR) Act Bacolod City Negros Island Region Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson DOH
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