The Capitol has sought the help of doctors in private practice in creating a better healthcare system in Cebu province.
Dr. Rene Catan, an orthopedic surgeon; Dr. Manuel Villamor, a surgeon specializing in minimal invasive and laparoscopic surgery; and Dr. Lily Aranas, former regional director of the Department of Health (DOH) 7 were tapped by the provincial government provide a fresh perspective on improving services in 16 provincial and district hospitals.
“They will be outside looking in to help address and face challenges,” Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said in the program “Private Sector Cooperation on Hospital Cases Management.”
Dr. Catan was recently recognized by the University of the Philippines Cebu’s Tatak UP Awards for his contributions in the community. Dr. Villamor trained in Hongkong and Singapore for his specialized field , while Dr. Aranas is a consultant on public health services for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Tolentino said the three doctors are serve as advisers to evaluate the present hospital system and are not directly employed by the Capitol.
They will review cases and operations in province-run hospitals in coordination with the Provincial Health Office and the chiefs of hospital.