Maguindanao health office's 'Gamutang Pangkalahatan' serves 12,000 indigents

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=802209
• Wednesday, September 9, 2015

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Sept. 9 (PNA) -- More than 12,000 indigent patients have benefited from the recent four-day "Gamutang Pangkalahatan" of the Maguindanao Integrated Provincial Health Office and Maguindanao provincial hospital in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

Dr. Tahir Sulaik, Maguindanao health chief, said Wednesday the "Gamutang Pangkalahatan" was held simultaneously with the inauguration and official opening of the rehabilitated and refurbished Maguindanao provincial hospital.

He said most of the illnesses treated during the medical services were cough, fever, skin diseases and respiratory diseases.

Sulaik also noted the behavioral change among the indigent patients in Maguindanao. "Before, when they fell ill, they would stay at home and resort to home-based medication," he said.

"But now, with the new and modern health facilities in town, our patients' awareness on health has increased," he told reporters.

"We have upgraded our services," Sulaik said, adding that it now has emergency complex which is comprehensive and the waiting time of patients has been reduced.

Sulaik said the hospital is now open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week and ready to serve its clients, not only from Maguindanao but also from nearby provinces.

He said medical services in the province of Maguindanao recognize no boundaries.

Sulaik said the "Gamutang Pangkalahatan" program will continue to reach out to municipalities in Maguindanao to increase people's awareness about health issues.

Some indigents prefer to stay at home for medication, afraid of expenses if they go to hospitals. "Now, the hospital staff and health providers will go where they are to serve," Sulaik added.