The Negros Occidental provincial government is enhancing its delivery of healthcare services with the opening of the Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CEMREID) at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City.
With support from the Department of Health and the World Bank, the P100-million medical facility is the province’s response to the infrastructural gaps exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the blessing and inauguration, led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson Dec. 13, the CEMREID will soon become operational, boosting the province’s health capability.
“This key development strengthens our province’s capability to respond to health threats and safeguard the well-being of our people,” Lacson said in a statement Dec. 15.
“The inauguration of CEMREID is not only an advancement for the hospital, but an achievement for the entire province,” he added.
The infectious disease hub is equipped with an emergency room, operating room, delivery room, and intensive care unit — all designed to ensure efficient and safe patient management.
The ground floor has an infectious disease emergency room, with two ambulance drop-off points. It utilizes the province’s first variable refrigerant flow negative pressure system to enhance infection control.
“The new center underscores the provincial government’s commitment to providing responsive, modern, and life-saving healthcare services to every Negrense,” Lacson said.
To partly fund the project, Negros Occidental utilized an allocation from the one-time “Bayanihan” financial aid given by the national government as grant to the local government units, to be used exclusively for projects, programs, and activities concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor said his administration will continue to invest in government-run hospitals, the healthcare workforce, and systems to ensure that no Negrense is left behind when it comes to health and safety.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the CEMREID will initially accommodate the operations of the TLJPH, which is set to undergo renovation.
“With the CEMREID operational very soon, we can transfer our operations of the TLJPH temporarily here. We need to repair and upgrade the old TLJPH building,” he said. | PNA
