Philhealth backs BSL’s plan to build maternal and children lying-in clinic

Dagupan City – A Philhealth official has welcomed the plan of Mayor Benjamin S. Lim to build a maternal and children lying-in clinic in barangay Poblacion Oeste here.
“We want to encourage LGU Dagupan City na kung gusto nila na magpa-accredit for lying in for maternity care package, puwedeng-puwede po kasi nga yun ang ating call sa ating millennium development goal,” said Philhealth OIC Regional Vice Presidernt Maricar M. Arzadon.
Arzadon issued the statement during a press conference highlighting the celebration of the 17th foundation anniversary of Philhealth and the observance of the National Health Insurance Month held at the De Luxe Restaurant here last February 10.
She said the Philhealth’s goal is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate “kaya malaking tulong po yong plano ni Mayor Lim.”
Lim had earlier envisioned the Guadiz Elementary School lot as the site of the proposed clinic.
Ang concept kasi natin, ang maternity care package kung tutuusin, mas gusto sana naming ma-concentrate sa mga level 1 facilities, as well as sa mga lying-in clinics. The reason for that is we want to decongest the higher facilities for lower surgical procedures,” said Arzadon.
She added “ang ating mga mothers ay mas naalagaan sa mga lying-in clinics kasi meron tayong pre-natal care from the first month up to the time of delivery. Unlike po sa government hospital, kapag nanganganak na, doon lang sila pumupunta.”
Arzadon said that the Region I Medical Center is a tertiary hospital, a Department of Health – retained hospital “na may referral facility at ang kanyang coverage ay boung Pangasinan and even the neighboring provinces ay pumunta sa kanila.”
“Iyong influx of patients ay hindi natin masasabi,” she said.
Asked whether it is more economical on the part of the city to just enroll at the RIMC the 1,800 indigents who are yearly giving birth rather than building its own hospital following the no balance billing policy, Arzadon replied “bago ko masagot ito, kailangan nating malaman yung capacity ng Region 1 Medical Center to absorb patients from Dagupan City.”
“Sa ngayun, wala kaming record kung ilan yung ward bed na puwedeng mag-accommodate ng mga families from Dagupan City.” (CIO)