Cases that require medical attention in a higher level hospital are referred to Sarangani Provincial Hospital (SPH) at the Capitol compound in Alabel.

Sarangani has five provincial government-run hospitals. Three of which, located in Kiamba, Malungon and Glan, operate as Level 1 facility while SPH in Alabel would soon be a Level 2 facility. The rest (Maitum and Maasim), however, are still infirmaries.

Improving the services at the barangays, Dr. Alejandro pointed out, would “lessen referral of patients going to our provincial hospital.”

All the provincial government-run hospitals in Sarangani, except for Dr. Cornelio T. Martinez Sr. Memorial Hospital in Kiamba, have been renamed by virtue of Special Ordinance No. 2021-10-082 for Sarangani Provincial Hospital-Glan, Special Ordinance No. 2021-10-083 for Sarangani Provincial Hospital-Malungon, Special Ordinance No. 2021-10-084 for Sarangani Provincial Hospital-Maasim, and Special Ordinance No. 2021-10-085 for Sarangani Provincial Hospital-Maitum.

This is to recognize that these hospitals are “run, subsidized and funded by the Provincial Government of Sarangani.”

The renaming, as stated in the special orders, also supports the ownership by the provincial government of these hospitals which “takes responsibility and supervision” over each of the hospital.

“It is branding, actually, and ownership,” Dr. Alejandro said.

Dr. Cornelio T. Martinez Sr. Memorial Hospital was not yet renamed because it requires at least three years before a facility could be renamed, Dr. Alejandro said.

Sarangani Provincial Hospital was renamed from Sarangani Healthcare Facility in 2021 by virtue of Special Ordinance No. 2021-10-081. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)