MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) — The Northeastern Misamis General Hospital, situated in Barangay Looc, Villanueva town was officially inaugurated on April 12, signifying a significant advancement in the region's healthcare infrastructure.

Under the governance of the Department of Health (DOH), the Northeastern Misamis General Hospital is poised to serve patients from the CLAJAVITA (Claveria, Jasaan, Villanueva, and Tagoloan) interlocal health zones. 

DOH assistant regional director Ellenieta Gamolo shared the plans for the hospital's evolution into a second-level hospital within four years.

“Kaning hospital, nasa Phase 1 pa. In four years time, in 2028, we hope to see nga mahuman na gayud katung building nga Second Level Hospital. In that way, dili lang ang taga-Villanueva ang maka-benefit. Ang atung mga nakapalibot nga mga munisipyo, especially CLAJAVITA nga interlocal health zones. Dili nata magdasok didto sa Cagayan [Cagayan de Oro City] kay kung Level 2 na ang Northeastern Misamis General Hospital, ang mga serbisyo nga inyo makuha sa Northern Mindanao Medical Center, pwede na ma-offer dinhi," she said.

(This hospital is still in its Phase 2. In four years, we hope that it will finally reach the Second Level Hospital status. In that way, people from other municipalities can also benefit. Villanueva belongs to CLAJAVITA interlocal health zones. CLAJAVITA residents would no longer line up in Northern Mindanao Medical Center because, at level 2, services like ones in NMMC will also be offered here.)

Currently licensed as an infirmary hospital with a 17-bed capacity, the facility provides essential healthcare services including outpatient care, prenatal consultation, in-patient services, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, minor surgery, and medical social services.

The hospital is equipped with modern treatment facilities to respond to the medical needs of various individuals. 

Mayor Jennie Uy-Mendez emphasized the hospital's provision of free check-ups and medications, alleviating the financial burden on residents who previously had to travel to Cagayan de Oro City for such services.

“Happy ko isip mayor sa Villanueva nga sa akong last term, nahuman gyud ang hospital ug kabalo ko, kampante nako na bisan wala nako ani nga posisyon isip municipal mayor nga matiwas gyud ni siya, mapadayon, mudako pa ning hospital. So, angay ‘ta maglipay, bisan kinsa pa inyong gisuportahan kay kita man tanan maka-benepisyo. Aduna’y libre nga tambal, libre magpa-check up. Dili namo mamilite padulong sa Cagayan [Cagayan de Oro City], dili namo mag-problema sa inyong paniudto kay mao man gyud atung problema pag muadto’g Cagayan kay ang paniudto pa, ang plite pa, ang tambal pa gyud," she said.

(Being the mayor of Villanueva, I am happy that the hospital was completed during my last term and I am confident that after my term, the hospital will still be developed and be much bigger than what it is now. No matter who each of you is supporting, we should all be happy because all of us can benefit from the hospital. Here, people can avail free medical check-ups and free medicines. There is no need for them to spend on transportation fees and lunch meals since these are what we see that add to the burden of going to Cagayan de Oro City just to get treated.) (IJBD, PIA Region 10-Misamis Oriental)