NVPH CT Scan Center opens

Officials of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV) led by Governor Carlos M. Padilla graced the blessing and opening ceremonies for the newly completed Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Center at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital (NVPH) in Bambang held last June 28.

NVPH Chief Dr. Arlene I. Jara welcomed the guests and attendees and thanked all those who were instrumental in the establishment of the Center. Dr. Jara also assured that she and her staff will be giving their full commitment and support thereto.

Elaborating on the CT Scan project, Dr. Jara said that their hospital, which is being managed and operated by the PGNV, was fortunate to have been chosen in 2020 as one of the 33 beneficiaries of the “Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit (HEAL) COVID-19” joint project between the Philippine Government and the Asian Development Bank under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Dr. Jara explained that the initial proposal then was to have the CT Scan Center housed at the Medical Arts Building, but with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, funds for the said purpose were diverted to help address emerging unprecedented health and economic issues and concerns. Top management then decided to just convert the unfinished Watcher’s Lounge for the advanced medical imaging facility with a budget of P5M, which also served as part of the PGNV’s project counterpart.

She also said that the donated machinery and equipment were delivered and installed last February or about three months after the completion of the building structure. Under her close supervision, “Other materials and supplies needed for the operation of the CT Scan Center were procured immediately thereafter, and the medical specialists and staff assigned to man the facility also completed their requisite training. The NVPH has already forged a Memorandum of Agreement with a Manila-based practicing Fellow in Radiology who shall serve as CTSC’s collaborator through Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM).”

DICOM is the international standard for medical images and related information. It defines the formats for medical images that can be exchanged with the data and quality necessary for clinical use. This technology is implemented in almost every radiology, cardiology imaging, and radiotherapy device (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, etc.), and increasingly in devices in other medical domains such as ophthalmology and dentistry. [https://www.dicomstandard.org]

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Edwin B. Galapon said that the PGNV had worked hard to qualify for the project starting in 2020 when the DOH issued its call for applications. He added that only walk-in patients will be charged some fees, since PhilHealth shoulders those of admitted patients.

Relative to hospital charges, Provincial Treasurer Rhoda S. Moreno stressed that, in comparison with the national government hospitals in the Region, the NVPH’s fees are lower on account of the PGNV’s policy of charging only some minimal amounts that are just enough for the upkeep of its hospitals.

Governor Padilla urged all the NVPH staff who will be manning the CT Scan Center to give their full support and commitment. “While we keep on providing state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, excellent services to our people also hinge on the character and competence of those tasked to deliver them”, he said. “I believe our people will be benefitting much from this facility, which was once a mere dream, in terms of comparably lower fees and charges, and accessibility”, he added.

On June 27, 2022, the 10th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Nueva Vizcaya passed Tax Ordinance No. 2022-25 which further amends Chapter IV, Article Three, Section 1 of Tax Ordinance No. 2003-001 to add Fees for CT Scan Examination, Ultrasound Machine Fees, Dialysis, and Other Services. This legislative measure was approved by the Governor on July 1, 2022.

Mr. Jan Nicanor B. Tugadi, Development Management Officer V of the Provincial DOH Office, said that Dr. Grace V. Santiago, Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development (CVCHD) Regional Director, is appreciative of the efforts of the PGNV in continuously improving and expanding the facilities of the NVPH despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, which naturally translate into better health services. The DOH officials were also thankful for Governor Padilla’s strong support to the PGNV-DOH partnership. #mccd reporting

WATCH the live video coverage here:
https://www.facebook.com/officialplgunv/videos/544591834028225/
Related story:
NVPH’s CT Scan Center soon to open
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NVPH CT Scan Center opens…
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