The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Development Council (RDC) has approved a resolution of support for at least five provincial hospitals to be placed under the control and management of the Department of Health (DOH).

The move will allow provinces to concentrate on improving smaller health facilities.

DOH-run hospitals are subsidized by the national government in all aspects including infrastructure improvements, human resources, medical equipment and other supplies.

“Mas malakas kasi kapag may (It has more push and power if there is an) RDC resolution of support,” DOH-CAR Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan told the Philippine News Agency on Saturday.

She said the RDC resolution will be submitted to Congress, together with the bills filed by the representatives of Abra, Kalinga and Benguet.

Pangilinan said the conversion is an act of Congress, requiring that a law be passed before the conversion could be implemented.

The conversion will unburden the local government units from supporting the logistical requirement of the provincial hospitals, including manpower.

The five hospitals recommended for conversion are Anastacia Rafael Sagel Memorial Hospital in Mountain Province, Benguet General Hospital, Ifugao Provincial Hospital, Abra Provincial Hospital and Kalinga Provincial Hospital.

Pangilinan said the DOH also supports the nationalization to allow the local government units to concentrate on improving the facilities and services of the rural health units, district health units, barangay health units and other smaller medical facilities in towns and villages.

A non-DOH-run hospital, however, can still be assisted by the agency in terms of technical assistance, development plan, infrastructure and equipment under the health facility enhancement program; human resources; and assistance for indigent and financially incapacitated patients. (PNA)