P8.5-M rural health unit open in Apalit

P8.5-M rural health unit open in Apalit

By Ian Ocampo Flora Wednesday, February 27, 2013

APALIT - Two Rural Health Units (RHU) were inaugurated here on Tuesday
in a bid to help address the health and birthing needs of locals of
this town. Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Director Dr.
Leonito Gorgolon led the turnover of the P8.5 million RHUs and
birthing stations to the Municipal Government of Apalit. Attending the
ceremony on Tuesday were Governor Lilia
Pineda, Apalit Mayor Oscar "Jun" Tetangco and Board Members Fritzie
David-Dizon and Ricardo Yabut. PAMPANGA. Gov. Lilia Pineda and DOH
Regional Director Leonita Gorgolon formally turn over the ceremonial
key to the two new Rural Health Units in Apalit town worth P8.5
million to Mayor Oscar Tetangco on Tuesday.

(Ian Ocampo Flora) The facilities are expected to benefit two villages
with a combined population of some 15,000. The RHUs and birthing
stations were constructed beside the municipal hall in Barangays San
Juan and Baluluc, an isolated village near Pulilan town in Bulacan.
Baluluc, which is an hour from the Apalit, has some 10,000 residents,
while nearby Barangay Calantipe has 5,000. Mayor Tetangco said they
are thankful for the completion of the projects after almost two years
of delay due to "political reasons." He added that the town is
thankful for Pineda's support in the completion of the
projects. "Our people can now reap the benefits of these projects,"
Tetangco said. Gorgolon, for her part, said the projects would greatly
help in preventing cases of maternal and child deaths here, as the
facilities will serve as forerunners of medical services to pregnant
women in poor communities. Gorgolon said this project is part of the
"Aquino Health Agenda Program," wherein the National Government
invested at least P7 billion for the establishment of birthing
stations and other maternal facilities in the country. Gorgolon noted
that for the province's fourth district alone, 14 birthing stations
have already been constructed in coordination with the concerned local
government units and Provincial
Government. "No mother should die for giving life," she added. The CHD
director also told the local and provincial officials that anytime
this month, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona is expected to visit the
province of Pampanga to inspect various birthing stations constructed
under the health agenda of President Aquino. "Dito po sa Apalit una
kong dadalhin si Secretary kapag dumating siya dito sa Pampanga dahil
ito ang pinakamagandang birthing stations." Gorgolon said. (With
Herbert Mapiles)

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on February 27, 2013.
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