Board Members Donaal and Dangani back approval of MOA Hiring Medical Specialists for Kalinga Hospitals

Tabuk City, Kalinga – To strengthen the delivery of specialized healthcare services in the province, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) seeking to engage medical specialists for provincial and district hospitals was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga.

Prior to the approval, a copy of the MOA was earlier submitted by the Office of Governor James Edduba to the Committee on Rules and Ethics, chaired by Board Member Christopher Donaal, and the Committee on Health and Sanitation, chaired by Board Member Alfredo Dangani.

The document was referred to the said Sangguniang Panlalawigan committees to ensure legal compliance and to assess the medical necessity and impact of the proposed services on the province’s healthcare system.

On Monday, April 13, the committees held a meeting at the legislative building to deliberate on the matter.

Based on the joint committee report obtained by Guru Press Cordillera, the MOA covers the services of Dr. Roel Andrew Ravelo as Nephrologist at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital (KPH); Dr. Edelgard Michael Ulep as Otorhinolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon at the KPH and all Kalinga district hospitals; and Dr. Juanita Tucay-Lacuesta as Clinical Pathologist at the Tanudan and Pinukpuk District Hospitals.

In its findings, the committee emphasized that the engagement of the said medical specialists is necessary to boost the capability of the medical facilities in delivering quality healthcare services to the people of Kalinga.

“The hiring/engagement of medical specialists will address the need for expert medical care, improve diagnostic and treatment services, and lessen referrals to hospitals outside the province,” the committee report stated. It was further found that the proposed MOA is “in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations, and aligned with the mandate of the provincial government to promote the general welfare, particularly in the provision of accessible and efficient health services.”

Following careful review, the committees endorsed the final approval of the MOA to the Provincial Board, headed by Vice Governor Dave Odiem.

During its session on Tuesday, April 14, the Provincial Board granted final approval, allowing Governor Edduba, representing the provincial government, to enter into contracts with the aforementioned medical specialists.

Earlier, Kalinga PHO II Dr. Edward Tandingan mentioned the lack of psychiatrists, psychologists and psychometricians.

“With the increasing number of people experiencing mental health concerns, we really need a psychiatrist. Not only a psychiatrist, but also health workers specialized in handling mental health issues, such as psychologists. We have only a minimal number of psychologists and psychometricians,” Tandingan admitted.