TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte celebrated National Kidney Month with a double milestone on June 18, 2025 — raising awareness on kidney health through a community walk and strengthening provincial healthcare infrastructure with the inauguration of new hospital facilities.
Spearheaded by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the event titled “HYDRATE. MOVE. PROTECT: A Walk Towards Stronger Kidneys” gathered around 150 participants for a fun walk from the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) Oval to the Kalimudan Hall at the Provincial Capitol. The initiative aimed to highlight the importance of kidney health and promote healthy lifestyle choices among residents.
Governor Imelda “Angging” Quibranza Dimaporo led the walk and emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare. “We have to be careful with our diet. Mananom ta’g utanon sa atong atubangan—kamunggay, okra, talong,” she advised, underscoring the value of growing and consuming natural, accessible food for kidney health.
Joining the event was Dr. Sime Raymund Fernandez, an adult nephrologist, who delivered an insightful discussion on early kidney disease prevention, the benefits of regular hydration, and maintaining physical activity. A member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Chair of the Committee on Health and Sanitation also called on the public to take active steps in managing their well-being.
During the same event, Governor Dimaporo announced a major development: the old Kolambugan Hospital will be repurposed into a specialized cancer, hemodialysis, and trauma center — a strategic move to address growing health needs in the province.
Later that day, the governor also led the formal turnover of newly completed healthcare facilities at the Kapatagan Provincial Hospital (KapPh) — including a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a tertiary laboratory, and a watcher’s lounge.
“After complying with all the requirements, finally—na okay na jud,” the governor said, reminding hospital officials to ensure full regulatory compliance before undertaking any upgrades.
The ICU and laboratory staff at KapPh have already completed the necessary training and are awaiting final Department of Health (DOH) approval to begin operations. Dr. Ferdinand Bautista, KapPh’s Chief of Hospital, expressed gratitude to the provincial government for its support. “With your help, na-improve ang services ng hospital—hindi lang dito but sa six hospitals,” he said.
Both events underscore Lanao del Norte’s strong commitment to public health — from disease prevention and community awareness to improving hospital capacity and access to critical care. Through these efforts, the province continues to build a healthier, more resilient future for its people.