By CESAR JOLITO III

The Department of Health (DOH) is pushing to convert the Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital (MJMDH) in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City into an annex facility of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in a bid to strengthen healthcare services in southern Negros Occidental.

In a letter to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, DOH in Negros Island Region Director Razel Nikka Hao sought provincial government support for the proposal, which aims to improve access to medical services for residents of Sipalay and nearby communities.

The plan outlines that the ground floor of MJMDH will continue to provide general hospital services, while its second floor will be developed into a dedicated psychiatric unit — addressing the growing need for mental health care in the region.

Hao also recommended a joint technical review and exploratory discussions among DOH officials, hospital management and CLMMRH representatives to evaluate the feasibility and operational requirements of the proposed annex.

Lacson said the provincial government is carefully assessing the proposal and has expressed initial support, noting its potential to enhance the delivery of healthcare services outside major urban centers./CJ, WDJ