Locals told to maximize benefits of Leyte hospital repaired by US gov’t

BURAUEN, Leyte, Nov. 30 (PNA) – A local health official asked residents in the province to maximize the use of Burauen District Hospital, which was recently rehabilitated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Leyte provincial health officer Ofelia Absin said the newly-repaired health facility should be used by people in the towns of Burauen, Dagami, La Paz and Tabontabon, clustered by the Department of Health as one interlocal health zone.

“Health facilities are only useful if residents use them,” Absin said. “No government and no donors can make people healthy if citizens do not take action to protect themselves and promote their health.”

The hospital ward and Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short course (TB-DOTS) facilities are the fifth and sixth medical health facility turned-over by the USAID to the province.

This is part of the 12 medical facilities in the province funded by the US government under the USD143 million post-Yolanda Rebuild Project.

The USAID also provided medical equipment to the local government to ensure that it can be used immediately after the turn-over.

Burauen District Hospital is one of the 12 provincial government-administered hospitals, which was severely destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda on Nov. 8, 2013.

Aside from providing maternal and child health, family planning services, the hospital was also a TB-DOTS referral hospital in 2013.

But in 2014, the hospital stopped treating TB presumptive cases after super typhoon Yolanda destroyed the facility and displaced some of its health workers.

“This will allow us to extend our services here in Burauen District Hospital, especially in terms of treatment and other care services here in the province,” said Absin.

Next year, hospital management will apply for DOTS certification and health insurance accreditation.

The new health facilities built by the US government thru the USAID, reaffirms their commitment to help the province rebuild better and stronger.

“This is achieved by providing family equitable access to health care, building healthy and stable community and ultimately building a prosperous democratic society,” said USAID Deputy Mission Director Clay Epperson.

“With this new facilities and equipment, we trust that you will continue to provide the people of Burauen and nearby towns a quality maternal and child health and tuberculosis control.”

The health facility is a symbol of solidarity and friendship between USA and the Philippines.

Epperson added that though the Visayas Health Project, USAID ensures the assistance to those affected by super typhoon Yolanda in delivering maternal and child health facilities and family planning services. (PNA)
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