MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL PROVINCIAL BOARD URGES DOH TO ADDRESS UNIMPLEMENTED HOSPITAL LAWS

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Occidental has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to investigate the lack of implementation of crucial laws aimed at improving the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. Medical Center (MHARSMC). The appeal, made through Resolution No. 588-24, highlights the hospital's failure to meet the requirements of two significant legislative measures, leaving Misamisnons deprived of enhanced medical services.

The resolution points out that the MHARSMC has yet to comply with Republic Act No. 10865, enacted in 2016, which mandates an increase in the hospital's bed capacity from 150 to 500. The law was expected to be implemented within four years, but eight years later, the requirements remain unmet. Additionally, Republic Act No. 11563, passed in 2021 to further increase bed capacity to 1,000 and upgrade the hospital's facilities, also remains unfulfilled.

The Provincial Board expressed concern that the hospital's management has not utilized new infrastructure, including a completed 5-story building meant to accommodate additional patients. The unresolved issues have resulted in overcrowding, inadequate patient care, and multi-million-peso debts to suppliers.

The board emphasized that these laws, authored by former Congressman and now Governor Henry S. Oaminal, were designed to provide Misamisnons with world-class healthcare. However, the failure to implement these laws, coupled with mismanagement, has hindered progress, prompting the board to call for immediate DOH intervention to ensure the delivery of quality medical services to the province and the entire Region 10.