KPH another step closer to becoming Northern CAR Regional Medical Center

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Officials in the province on September 1, 2021, met to discuss the completion of needed documents to facilitate the conversion of the Kalinga Provincial Hospital to Northern CAR Regional Medical Center.

Kalinga Governor Ferdinand Tubban along with personnel from the Congressional District Office spearheaded the meeting with key department heads to set up the tasking for the preparation of documents as required by the Department of Health.

The compiled documents will be presented during the virtual Committee on Health Hearing set on September 6, 2021, with Senator Bong Go.

“Agtitinnulong tayo a nga ilaban daytuy inrugi ni Congressmen Sonny. Daytuy ket just in time tapnu mas pumintas iti serbisyo a maited tayo haan laeng kadagiyay kakailyan tayo, pati dagituy kaaruba tayo a probinsiya… nga um-umay dituy tapnu maagasan, wennu agdawat iti medical atensyon,” the Governor Tubban appealed during the meeting.

As recalled, Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang on July 22, 2019, filed House Bill (HB) No. 2432, known as “An Act Converting the Kalinga Provincial Hospital in Tabuk City, Kalinga into a Level III Regional Hospital to be known as the Northern Cordillera Regional Medical Center (NCRMC) under the supervision, control and management of the Department of Health, and Appropriating Funds thereof.”

In support of HB No. 2432, Senator Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill No. 1570 for the same purpose in June 2020.

With its conversion to Level III, the bed capacity of KPH shall be increased to 300 beds.

Also, the number of medical and service personnel, maintenance, and other operating expenses shall be correspondingly increased for “effective quality health care and services not only to the Province of Kalinga but also to its neighboring provinces of Isabela, Apayao, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Abra.”

The funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The DOH during a committee hearing suggested for some documents to justify the conversion of the hospital into a tertiary level health facility.

The department suggested that the bed occupancy rate, financial capacity, human resources for health, and population be presented.

Currently, the Kalinga Provincial Hospital (KPH), according to hospital Chief Dr. Marilyn Duyan, has a 100-bed capacity as a Level I hospital but is “catering to more than 150 beds during peak season.”

Limited facilities and an undermanned workforce have been seen as challenges in attending to the health and medical needs of the residents.

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