P100-M infectious disease hub to rise in NegOcc

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson together with Third District Rep. Francisco Benitez and other local officials, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CEMREID) at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City Monday morning.

The center that costs P100 million is jointly funded by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the DOH Health Facilities Enhancement Program.

Gov. Lacson said that the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health crisis has stretched the health systems beyond their capacity and exposed the weaknesses of health systems worldwide, and as such, responding to public health emergency and minimizing its impact require every health resource to be maximized.

“We extend our sincerest appreciation and gratitude to the good Senator for his solid support to this ambitious and progressive project of the province that will bridge critical gaps in our hospital and emergency service,” said Gov. Lacson.

The governor also said that with the CEMREID, TLJPH can serve both infectious and clean cases simultaneously, and it will have its own emergency room, operating room, delivery room, and intensive care unit (ICU) aside from isolation rooms.

Also present in the activity were Board Members Ryan Gamboa, Manuel Frederick Ko, Araceli Somosa, and Andrew Montelibano, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, former Bacolod vice mayor, Thaddy Sayson, Homer Bais, TLJPH Chief of Hospital, Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, and Capitol departments heads and chiefs of provincial government-run hospitals.

The governor also checked on the upgraded oxygen plant at provincial hospital, as the demand for oxygen is expected to increase, especially among COVID-19 patients. (PIO)