By CESAR JOLITO III

The Department of Health in the Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) reported that the ongoing P92-million renovation of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) Emergency Department is progressing faster than anticipated.

Just 22 days since the start of the renovation on September 28, the project has already reached 9.79 percent completion, according to DOH-NIR Undersecretary Dr. Mary Ann Maestral.

“I am very happy with the way things are now at CLMMRH. The rehabilitation must be done by December 31, but I told them that the earlier it is finished, the better,” Maestral said, expressing her satisfaction with the project’s progress.

The renovation, handled by the winning contractor DuraBuild, is targeted for completion before December 31, 2025, to ensure improved services and better patient care for the entire region.

As part of the ongoing improvements, Maestral also confirmed that the waiting area near the emergency department has been renovated to provide a safer and more comfortable space for visitors and families of patients.

“We already fixed the waiting area. Actually, the progress now is earlier than planned,” she added.

Next phase: Mother and Child Unit rehabilitation 

Following the completion of the Emergency Department, the DOH has lined up the rehabilitation of CLMMRH’s Mother and Child Unit, which currently serves as a temporary holding area for patients amid the construction.

“Before the end of the year, we will open our bidding for the rehabilitation of the Mother and Child Unit so that it can be utilized and can cater to more patients,” Maestral announced.

She explained that the limited capacity of the hospital to accommodate patients is largely due to the deteriorated condition of some facilities, which the DOH aims to address through the upcoming renovation.

A P65-million budget has already been allocated for the rehabilitation of the Mother and Child Unit, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to enhance healthcare infrastructure and ensure better service delivery in NIR./CJ, WDJ