To address patients waiting until dawn for life-saving dialysis sessions and traveling hours for specialized procedures, Pampanga is steadily reshaping its healthcare landscape with stronger government support and expanded medical infrastructure.
Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda announced that the provincial government has secured ₱85 million in funding assistance from Malacañang, a boost she described as timely and transformative for the province’s growing network of hospitals.
The fund, coursed through the Office of the President, will support the procurement of critical medical equipment, including dialysis machines, laparoscopic surgical tools, and hospital beds for newly established and expanding provincial health facilities.
For Pineda, the assistance is more than just infrastructure funding. It is a response to the urgent needs of Kapampangans seeking affordable and accessible healthcare services.
“Malaking tulong talaga itong ibinigay ng Office of the President. Tamang-tama ito sa pagbubukas ng mga ospital at pagpapalakas ng ating serbisyong pangkalusugan,” she said.
Expanding critical care
A major portion of the fund will support dialysis services, as patients continue to face long waiting times due to limited machine capacity. Some are reportedly scheduled as early as dawn to complete treatment sessions.
Despite the expansion of private dialysis centers, Pineda said government facilities remain overwhelmed by demand, particularly from indigent patients.
“Marami na tayong private dialysis centers pero kulang pa rin. Kailangan talaga nating dagdagan para hindi na maghintay ang mga pasyente,” she said.
The province will also acquire laparoscopic surgical equipment for minimally invasive procedures such as gallbladder and hernia operations, allowing faster recovery and shorter hospital stays.
Pineda noted that while such procedures cost between P60,000 and P80,000 in private hospitals. These are provided for free under the province’s zero balance billing policy.
“Napakalaking bagay nito lalo na sa mahihirap… sa atin, zero balance billing—walang babayaran ang pasyente,” she added.
Bringing hospitals closer to communities
Beyond the expansion of hospital facilities, Pineda underscored the province’s continued push to bring healthcare directly to communities through a growing network of satellite and extension hospitals, now linked to the province’s 11 main health facilities.
She said this approach is reinforced by intensified community outreach programs, where health workers go into barangays to identify patients showing early warning signs of serious illnesses, including those with lumps or ‘bukol’, to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment before their conditions worsen.
“Pinapahanap namin ‘yung mga may bukol sa katawan. Kapag nakita agad, napapaopera namin agad para hindi na umabot sa cancer,” Pineda said.
She stressed that early detection has significantly reduced the number of patients progressing to advanced stages of illness that require more aggressive and costly treatments such as chemotherapy.
Pineda also highlighted the province’s floating clinic program, which delivers essential medical services to coastal and hard-to-reach barangays. The mobile facility is equipped with ultrasound, X-ray, laboratory diagnostics, and maternal health services, effectively bringing hospital-level care to remote communities.
“Hindi na dapat sila pumunta pa sa malayo. Kami na ang lumalapit sa kanila—may doctor, may gamot, may serbisyo,” she said.
National support and preventive healthcare push
Pineda expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and national agencies for their continued support in strengthening local health systems, noting that the swift release of funds has accelerated hospital expansion and equipment procurement.
She also cited national programs such as PhilHealth support and preventive healthcare initiatives that complement provincial efforts.
“Napakalaking tulong ng national government kasi hindi kayang solohin ng LGU ang lahat ng pangangailangan sa health,” she said.
The governor likewise urged residents to seek early consultation and maximize free services available in provincial hospitals and mobile clinics.
“Huwag kayong matakot magpatingin o magpa-opera. Libre po ang serbisyo. Ang mahalaga, maagapan natin ang sakit habang maaga pa,” she said.
