ILOILO CITY, (PNA) –Eight more local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo will benefit health services from the US$ 7 million grant of Korean government through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the upgrading of three district hospitals here.
The three district hospitals are Aleosan in Alimodian town, Jesus M. Colmenares in Balasan and Ricardo S. Provido Sr. Memorial in Calinog.
Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. said neighboring towns such as Leon, San Miguel, Bingawan, Lambunao, Passi City, Batad, Estancia and Carles which are near from these three district hospitals could also avail improvement capability building for their health centers.
Since the record of discussion for the grant and the implementation of Iloilo Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) Health System Strengthening Project has already been signed by both parties last week, the construction has started and expected to be completed by 2015.
Defensor said the project will ensure indigent residents of easy accessible to health care services, strengthen the health referral system and enhance health facility modernization.
Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said once the upgrading is finished, they expect 50 percent reduction in the three hospitals’ infant and maternal mortality rates or from 39 to 20 deaths per 100,000 cases.
Increased in contraceptive prevalence rate from 35 percent to 65 percent and health facility delivery from 65 percent to 80 percent are also expected from the project.