Iloilo: The provincial government is taking significant strides in enhancing maternal, newborn, and pediatric healthcare services with the groundbreaking of the Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH) Mother and Child Building in Barangay Rumbang, Pototan. The PHP143.78-million project is poised to become a cornerstone in the delivery of specialized healthcare services for mothers and children in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, the two-story, 90-bed facility will cater exclusively to maternal and pediatric healthcare needs. Dr. Alberto Cordero, IPH's chief of hospital, emphasized the project's importance as a "vision to provide mothers and their children with safer, more accessible, and more compassionate healthcare." He highlighted the necessity for mothers to feel secure and respected and for children to receive optimal care from birth.

The new facility, supported by Iloilo third district Representative Lorenz Defensor, will feature a dedicated emergency room, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics departments, delivery suites, operating rooms, and a neonatal intensive care unit. This setup aims to reduce congestion, improve infection control, and provide safer and more efficient healthcare services.

Engineer Richard Hernandez, officer-in-charge of the Office of the District Engineer, remarked that the project transcends mere infrastructure, focusing on enhancing patient care and healthcare delivery in Iloilo province. He described it as "an investment in better health care and in the health and well-being of the people of Iloilo province."

Rep. Defensor announced plans to allocate an additional PHP100 million next year to further improve the facility. The goal is to establish a "standard of healthcare for pediatrics and women's health care" and to ensure that mothers and children are shielded from potential infections by separating them from other patients within the IPH.

Acknowledging the challenges of maintaining high standards of care, Defensor expressed his commitment to expanding similar healthcare facilities across other towns and districts in the province. The project is set for completion within a year, marking a significant milestone in the province's healthcare landscape.