Valenzuela residents will get a boost on health services as the construction of the new City-funded PhP 82 million 3-storey, 50-bed Valenzuela City West Emergency Hospital and Dialysis Center is set to start next month on a 4,000-square meter lot adjacent to the Valenzuela City Astrodome in Barangay Dalandanan.

Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian led the key city officials, residents and guests from the health and social welfare sector in the groundbreaking and time capsule laying ceremony held last week.

“This is a landmark project of the City’s health services,” remarked City Health Officer Dr. Jaime Exconde, Jr. “Building a bigger and better hospital is a strong symbol of our City’s progress.”

The new facility which is slated to operate immediately after the 8-month construction period will take the place of the existing 20-bed Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital in Barangay Poblacion.  It will house new and more advanced medical equipment and will cater to local residents, especially to the City’s indigent patients.  In addition to the standard hospital facilities, The Dialysis Center is set to offer services at a minimal fee to Valenzuelanos, especially to underprivileged  citizens.

“The most strategic location for the new hospital must be accessible to residents of both districts.”, Mayor WIN said during the groundbreaking ceremony,

“And it shall be built on higher ground to ease the constituents from flooding compared to the current condition that the Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital (VCEH) go through during rainy season.  Another factor is the fact that VCEH’s facility was the former Municipal Hall built more than five decades ago that its flooring probably already sips water from the ground whenever there is flood,

In addition, another hospital is also anticipated to rise in the eastern area of Valenzuela City to serve residents far from the city center.

Joining the ceremony were Department of Health (DOH) Health Facility Development Cluster Head, Dr. Rachel Rowena Reyes Garcia, District 1 Councilors Cora Cortez, Marlon Alejandrino and Tony Espiritu; District 2 Councilor Lai Nolasco; City Administrator Atty. Teresita R. Capacillo; Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Ramon Encarnacion, together with the Punong Barangays from both districts; Philippine Red Cross-Valenzuela Chapter officials, medical practitioners from neighboring cities; and religious sectors, among others.