The fourth-class municipality of Sarrat in Ilocos Norte, known as the birthplace of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., is eyeing having its own community hospital to cater to the medical needs of its residents.

Third-termer mayor Remigio Medrano said Wednesday the funds they have so far collected include an initial funding of PHP23 million from the Sarrat local government unit, an additional PHP10 million from the Office of the President, and a PHP5-million counterpart from the Department of Health.

“If we take a look around us, it is only Sarrat that does not have a community hospital as compared to our nearby towns of Piddig, Vintar, Dingras, and Marcos,” said Medrano, adding that a community hospital would provide basic medical needs to patients before they are taken to bigger hospitals for treatment.

According to Medrano, the initial phase of construction had already started during his second term as mayor but it was halted when members of the previous Sangguniang Bayan or municipal council disapproved his request to re-appropriate accumulated savings of the municipality for the completion of the community hospital’s construction.

But under a new set of municipal councilors, Medrano hopes that his dream project will get the backing of the Sanggunian, this time.

The mayor said the project will serve as an extension of the Rural Health Unit (RHU). The manpower can be handled by the RHU with additional hiring of medical practitioners in the future.

Once completed, the medical facility will be qualified for an upgrade to a Level 1 hospital, which can provide emergency care and treatment, general administrative and ancillary services, primary care of prevalent diseases in the locality, and various clinical services. (PNA)