Cebu Capitol partners with private hospitals, pharmacies for more health access

CEBU – The Cebu Provincial Government with governor Pamela Baricuatro and Capitol Piso Health consultant, Dr. Nikki Catalan pushed for a more engaged partnership with private hospitals and pharmacies especially on allowing the acceptance of a Guarantee Letter issued by the Office of the Governor for easier health access for all Cebuanos.

In a consultative meeting with the 22 private hospitals and two pharmacies in Cebu on October 17, Dr. Catalan explained that through this partnership, Cebuanos who will avail themselves of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office can be assisted directly by accredited hospitals and pharmacies.

Catalan and Governor Baricuatro extended their gratitude to all medical directors and representatives from partner private hospitals for their full-force attendance during the meeting.  “Your presence is a strong show of solidarity and shared commitment to improving healthcare access for every Cebuano,” Dr. Catalan said through her social media post.

Catalan said, this is a first-of-its-kind dialogue between the Cebu Provincial Government and private medical institutions under the AICS mechanism, a vital step toward more seamless coordination and patient-centered care. This collaboration reflects a shared goal of a stronger, more responsive, and inclusive health system for the people of Cebu, as part of the governor’s health agenda.

 Engaging private organizations through AICS allows Capitol to augment and complement the services of its provincial hospitals. It aims to refine the healthcare system of the Province to make the process more efficient and hassle-free for all stakeholders—ensuring that provincial patients who require specialized care can receive it without unnecessary barriers.

“While we continue the ongoing reforms within our provincial hospital system, we acknowledge that there are levels of subspecialty and highly specialized care available only in private medical centers. High-risk and high-acuity patients often depend on these facilities for advanced management and life-saving interventions,” Dr. Catalan said. (Photos: Capitol PIO)