The local government of Cainta, Rizal has procured arterial blood gas machines to be used by patients, particularly indigent residents.
“We bought our own AGB machines. This is free to patients who need to use it,” Cainta municipal administrator Keith Nieto said.
Nieto narrated that last week someone came to his office to ask for financial assistance.
“She showed me the prescription. She said she needed to undergo arterial blood gas analysis. The procedure is said to be around P1,800 if done in a private hospital. I have had many cases like this,” Nieto said.
According to him, AGB machines are used to analyze oxygen, carbon dioxide and acid content in blood.
“This is the basis for doctors to adjust and correct metabolic and respiratory disorders same as the patient on mechanical ventilator, or those that have acid-base issues due to diabetes or infection,” he added.
The local government has also procured mechanical ventilator Mindray SV-300 for the town’s pediatric and infant patients.