BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
Thousands of Pangasinenses continue to benefit from Governor Ramon Guico III’s health initiative that aims to make medical services more accessible, affordable, and modern across the province.
Among the beneficiaries is Nanay Lita from San Carlos City, who regularly travels by tricycle just to receive dialysis treatment.
“It’s tough, especially with the travel and how my body feels afterward,” she shared. “But getting treatment helps lighten what I’m going through.”
Thanks to the GUICONSULTA program, short for Government Unified Incentives for Medical Consultation, Nanay Lita now finds it easier to access free healthcare without worrying about expenses.
Under this program, Pangasinan residents are encouraged to register through PhilHealth’s e-Konsulta.
Enrolled patients are entitled to free checkups, laboratory tests such as urinalysis and X-ray, free medicines, and a 300 pesos cash incentive to cover transportation and food.
Dr. Cipriano Fernandez, Chief of Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, said, “With this program, patients don’t have to pay for consultations, medicines, or the lab tests they need. Our governor is really focused on health, he believes that to have a healthy province, you need healthy people.”
To further improve health access, the provincial government plans to install modern machines like MRI, CT scan, stationary and mobile X-ray, and ultrasound equipment across 14 provincial hospitals.
In Umingan, the soon-to-rise Super Community Hospital with a 55-bed capacity will feature state-of-the-art facilities and accommodate more patients.
Dialysis centers are also expanding across Pangasinan to bring treatment closer to patients with chronic kidney disease.
Allaine De Guzman, Head Nurse at MJVRDC Dialysis Center, noted, “Before, most patients came to us from far-flung areas like Urdaneta or Sual. Now, thanks to the new dialysis centers being built by the governor, patients can go to facilities closer to their homes.”
Families of patients are also grateful.
Maria Cristina Avelino, a patient’s relative, said, “We’re near the western area now. Not everyone who needs dialysis can afford it, so this is a huge help. We’re very thankful to the governor for making this happen. We’ve waited a long time for it.”
Under the leadership of Governor Guico, Pangasinan continues its goal to become the healthiest province in the country through accessible and modern healthcare services.
