The Negros Occidental provincial government broke ground on Monday the construction of the PHP100-million Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEMREID) in Silay City.
The facility that will rise adjacent to the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital is jointly funded by the province and the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities Enhancement Program through the Office of Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate committee on health.
In his message, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the CEMREID will allow the province’s health care system to “serve both clean and infectious diseases simultaneously, but separately”.
The soon-to-rise facility will have its own emergency room, operating room, delivery room and intensive care unit, he added.
“With that, we extend our sincerest appreciation and appreciation to the good Senator Go for his solid support to this ambitious and progressive project, that will bridge critical gaps in our hospital and emergency services,” Lacson said.
During the onset of the pandemic early last year, the provincial government assigned two district hospitals as Covid-19 facilities, allowing these hospitals to treat only coronavirus disease cases, thereby disabling them from catering to non-Covid cases and emergencies.
In a video message, Go said he is honored to witness the groundbreaking rites for the infectious diseases facility.
“This is another great step towards our collective goal of providing high-quality and accessible health care system for our kababayans. I would like to acknowledge the provincial government of Negros Occidental for your contribution and effort in facilitating the establishment of the CEMREID,” he added.
Go said that as chairman of the Senate committee on health, he has pushed for the additional fund of PHP50 million from the DOH to assist the province in pursuing the project.
For its counterpart fund, Negros Occidental utilized an allocation from the one-time “Bayanihan” financial aid given by the national government as a grant to the local government units to be used exclusively for projects, programs, and activities concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I pray for the smooth construction and eventual success of the CEMREID,” Go said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
