LAOAG CITY – The Ilocos Norte provincial government has assembled an inspection team to enhance access to essential medicines at the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH) in this city.

Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos confirmed this on Friday, following a shortage of medicines for patients at the Ilocos Norte provincial hospital.

“I am sorry it has to happen like that. This is a learning curve for us and hopefully it will not happen again," Marcos said.

The governor said she has instructed Dr. Arlene Ragasa, chief of hospital at the GRBASMH, to expedite the procurement process, especially for medicines, to ensure a sufficient supply.

Marcos said several factors contributed to the shortage of medicines at the provincial hospital, which they had not anticipated.

These included the rising patient numbers in the Outpatient and Emergency Departments, the rollout of the PHILHEALTH YAKAP program, which improves the primary care package in government hospitals, and the implementation of the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit at the provincial hospital.

The PhilHealth package covers emergency medical services for patients who do not require hospital admission.

To improve access to essential medicines among primary healthcare providers in the province, the Department of Health-run Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City is working on a consignment agreement with local government units to be piloted in the municipalities of Solsona and Dingras.

This is in support of the government’s Universal Health Care Act, which aims to make healthcare equitable and affordable for all residents.

PNA PHOTO