SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region recently convened a consultative and review session for hospital development plans (HDPs) of various DOH and district hospitals in La Union and Pangasinan.
The aim of the session was to assess and ensure that healthcare infrastructure aligns with the region’s evolving health needs.
“Even with the continuous improvement of our health care system, we still face challenges and inequities. And as policymakers, we have to be prepared and work together to fill the gaps, integrate our local health facilities into province-wide health systems, and strengthen our health care provider network (HCPN) to better serve our people,” DOH Undersecretary for Universal Health Care (UHC) Health Services Cluster for Northern and Central Luzon Rosario Vegeire, stated.
She said, “It is very important that our health facilities have an established HCPN to have a policy and a 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 – this includes financing, facilities, and human resources,” she added.
HDPs are essential tools for improving patient care, meeting regulatory standards, and ensuring long-term organizational sustainability.
They provide a roadmap for achieving strategic goals through well-defined 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 five years.
Several health facilities in La Union and Pangasinan presented their HDPs, including the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, La Union, La Union Medical Center, and various district hospitals.
In Pangasinan, the Region 1 Medical Center, the Conrado F. Estrella Regional and Trauma Medical Center, and the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center – Dagupan City participated in the review process.
DOH-Region 1 Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco acknowledged the progress made in the presented plans but highlighted the need to address specific requirements and gaps.
“In La Union, we identified a shortage of 14 primary care facilities (PCFs) and 136 beds for level I and level II hospitals. In Pangasinan, the need is for 78 more PCFs and 501 beds. We must work together, including our apex hospitals, to find solutions for the benefit of our patients,” Director Sydiongco added.
The Hospital Development Plan Consultative and Review Session for La Union and Pangasinan took place in San Juan, La Union, on October 23, 2024. (AMB/PIA Region 1)
