A kidney transplant operation can now be performed in the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, but it is still awaiting accreditation from the medical board, which is among the many requirements.

Retired IPHO and now consultant Dr. Ely Villapando said, the provincial hospital is capable of performing the operation with a team of doctors from Bacolod, Cebu and Oriental Negros. The desire of the provincial hospital management is supported by Dr. Enrique Ona, director of the National Kidney Institute, who inspected the entire system recently, with Gov. Emilio Macias II, who is also a doctor by profession.

During his visit, Ona assured the province of his support in realizing the project. Macias also instructed Integrated Provincial Health Officer Dr. Dante Domingo and his staff to comply with the necessary requirements. A kidney transplant operation was scheduled last year but was cancelled in the absence of an accreditation.

Meanwhile, the NOPH has 14 new private rooms and three pay wards, one of which could accommodate up to seven patients.

Villapando said the rate of its private rooms is 40 percent lower than in private hospitals in Dumaguete. Villapando, former hospital director, has been rehired by the province as consultant. During his stint as IPHO chief, Villapando was instrumental in the completion of the diagnostic center, construction of a two-storey medical records building, a bodega where medicines and drug supplies are kept, the SARS building, the multi-million admin building, among others.

Before retiring, Villapando also initiated the repair of the main building, construction of the nurses station and some wards courtesy of private individuals and NGOs.

He said the ultimate goal of the provincial hospital is for all patients to be placed inside their rooms and not anymore scatter and block the hallways of the hospital. Former Rep. Meniong Teves (3rd district, NegOr) had given P2 million from his countrywide initiative for the annex building.

Under a three-year development plan, P3 million was proposed for the construction of additional operating rooms.

Ongoing construction is also undertaken in the dietary section. When completed, the old kitchen will be converted into a surgical ward.*JG

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