Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, Rep. Francisco Benitez and Victorias Mayor Javier Benitez (l-r) at the Inter-local Health Zone meeting on Friday.*
Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) rallied the Third District Inter-local Health Zone (ILHZ) to continue the work of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of his District Office with the support of the provincial government and local government units on Friday, August 12.
The EOC was created to coordinate and better manage the response to medical needs of the populace at the start and at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to 2021, a press release from his office said Sunday, August 14.
He convened the members of the North Central Negros ILHZ together with Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital chief and the zonal action officer, at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Friday to re-organize.
They also reviewed how the health care system worked during the pandemic and worked on more proactive ways to further improve coordination and collaboration in the delivery of primary health care services, the press release said.
Benitez said COVID-19 is still around and its resurgence may occur, as he stressed the need to ensure that quality and equitable health care services continue to be accessible to all.
Victorias Mayor Javier “Javi” Benitez, who attended the meeting, underscored the need to review what had been done during the pandemic and take a better look at new challenges.
He also noted the need to share best practices and help augment health care programs to address real issues in healthcare.
The mayor assured the body of the full support and assistance of the Victorias City Health Office through City Health Officer Dr. Richard Garlitos who was also present, for the groundwork in activating the organization.
The ILHZ of the Third District is one of the six inter-local health zones in Negros Occidental mandated by the Department of Health and supported by the provincial government.
Inter-local government cooperation was established to ensure that coordinating operations of several health providers and facilities for primary health care are efficiently delivered to a common population and limited resources for health services are better managed, the press release said.
The ILHZ is composed of the local chief executives, chairpersons of committees on health, members of LGU local health boards with health officers, the Provincial Health Office and Department of Health representatives.
Among those present in the meeting were Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Provincial Government Hospital Operations Department head, Talisay City Health Officer Dr. Joy Gladys Guanzon, Silay City Executive Assistant for Health Dr. Krisna Sharin Barnuevo, Murcia Councilor Hernan Alintana and Health Officer Dr. Raymond Maguad, and EB Magalona Health Officer Dr, Edmundo Janeo.
The body agreed on the creation of a Technical Working Group tasked to fast track the reorganization.*