CEBU CITY – In its aim to cater to more people and implement critical health intervention and realize the goals of “Fourmula One (F1),” the region 7 office of the Department of Health (DoH) in its recently concluded workshop for the implementation of health reform here has pushed for the improvement of district hospital services.

DoH 7 Regional Director Susana Madarietaduring the workshop that to be able to fully implement the mandates of F1 in the region, district hospital services should be improved by adding more medical personnel and upgraded facilities.

Madarieta admitted that the lack of manpower along with the need to have upgraded facilities is among the major problems of district hospitals here.

She also said that such F1 goal can only be attained if local and health officials have common understanding on its implementation.

Madarieta explained that as part of the DpH memorandum, the department, through its regional offices, is expected to fast-track the Center for Health and Development (CHD)’s capacity building to provide critical assistance to local government units (LGUs).

“It is important to synchronize the understanding of CHD’s specific mandate so that health sector reform based on LGU demand assistance will be addressed,” she said.

Meanwhile, DoH Undersecretary David Lozada, who was present in the same workshop said that there is a need to properly compensate doctors assigned in district hospitals so that LGUs will have permanent doctors.