DOH unveils new P4.9M lab, x-ray, and ultrasound services at Sarrat Primary Care Facility

SARRAT, ILOCOS NORTE —THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the Local Government Unit of Sarrat, officially inaugurated the new Clinical Laboratory, X-Ray, and Ultrasound Services at the Sarrat Primary Care Facility (PCF) on September 11, 2026.

Funded through a ₱4,995,000 allocation under the DOH Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) General Appropriations Act of 2025, the project significantly reduces the need for residents of Sarrat and neighboring municipalities to travel outside Sarrat just to avail routine diagnostic procedures.

The integration of advanced medical imaging and laboratory diagnostics expands the capabilities of the Sarrat PCF. The facility features dedicated diagnostic facilities, an expanded outpatient department, and a fully equipped emergency room for rapid emergency maternal and urgent care responses. Additionally, its accredited Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC), located at the basement, continues to provide rabies post-exposure prophylaxis and wound management. Work is also ongoing to establish an on-site licensed pharmacy to streamline medicine dispensing in the near future.

Local health officials emphasized that convergence of different agencies remains central to modernizing public healthcare infrastructure across Ilocos Norte. The upgraded facility is fully operational and staffed by health professionals trained in primary care delivery.

The expansion aligns with the broader implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, aiming to strengthen primary care capacity and expand access to essential health services across the region.