GERONA, Tarlac (March 11, 2024) –The Rural Health Unit II of this town is the first LGU laboratory to receive a Class 2 license from the Department of Health for its laboratory services.
Mayor Eloy Eclar said that he is proud of the achievement of the town’s health unit.
“I am extremely proud of our achievement because we are the first Local Government Unit in the province of Tarlac to get a license from the DOH. Gerona residents only pay about 50% of fees compared to private laboratories. Indigents and senior citizens don’t pay anything at all,” Eclar said in Filipino.
The Rural Health Unit II in Barangay Pinasling here offers drug testing, ultrasound, digital x-ray, blood chem, pharmacy, and dental services.
The local chief executive said that they achieved this with the support of the Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), an integrated agro-industrial and food business.
CPF operates an agro-feed mill in this town.
“Last year we received P2.5 million (from CPF) and this year P3 million, that we used to purchase a high-end ultrasound machine,” Eclar said.
Dr. Abner Lagade, Municipal Health Officer, said that their patients come from other towns in Tarlac and Pangasinan provinces.
“I attend to about 100-150 patients a day for consultations. Some of whom even come from Pangasinan. We accommodate all patients, regardless of their residency because they need our help,” Lagade said.
According to Chief Medical Technologist Anna Marie Nool, they attend to another 400 patients in their laboratory services per day.
“At our RHU, we charge far less than the P2,000 to P5,000 fees from other health care providers,” Nool said.
Both Lagade and Nool acknowledged the critical role Mayor Eclar played in achieving the distinction.
“It took us a year before we got full compliance with the DOH requirements, thanks to the full support of Mayor Eclar, who tirelessly worked with us,” Nool said.
According to Lagade, even the City of San Fernando (Pampanga) benchmarked with their RHU, proving that their health services and practices at the Gerona Health Unit are something to be proud of.
