The Malasiqui Municipal Hospital (MMH) in Barangay Cabatling here now operates as an infirmary to cater to the medical needs of residents.

Mayor Alfe Soriano, in an interview on Friday, said the Department of Health (DOH) has granted a license to operate the hospital as an infirmary-type facility, as well as its laboratory.

“The authorized bed capacity is 16. We are trying to provide medicines to the residents. We have PHP1.5 million worth of medicine now and another PHP1.5 million,” he said.

According to the DOH, an infirmary is a health facility that provides emergency treatment, basic inpatient care, and clinical management to the sick and injured, as it acts as a small, specialized institution that offers care for short-term illnesses, general outpatient services, and often serves as a clinic within specialized institutions.

MMH medical director Dr. Cielo Almoite, in a separate interview, welcomed the development as they can now cater to patients with mild medical cases who need admission.

“Before, even if the cases of the patients were considered mild, we referred them to other hospitals, but now we can cater to them,” she said.

The hospital offers laboratory tests, such as urinalysis, complete blood count (CBC), lipid profiles, fecalysis, uric acid test, blood sugar test, and X-ray.

“We are still processing the hospital’s Philippine Health Insurance Corp. accreditation, so there are still minimal charges. Definitely, lower than the other hospitals or clinics in the town,” she said.

Almoite added that the room rates of the hospital vary from PHP350 (ward and semi-private) to PHP450 (private), all of which are air-conditioned, except for the isolation room (PHP250), which is not advised to have air-conditioning but comes with a free meal.

“As per the instruction of the mayor, those who cannot afford to pay will be assisted by the local government,” she said.

Meanwhile, the hospital is an accredited YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) facility that offers primary care or outpatient services.

“If they are enrolled (in) MMH as their YAKAP facility, then we will cater to their outpatient services needs based on the program,” Almoite said. (PNA)