Ilocos norte: The provincial government of Ilocos Norte is set to partner with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) for its nursing skills upgrading program. During Monday’s regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, provincial board member Saul Paolo Lazo sponsored a resolution for the immediate facilitation of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the program.

According to Philippines News Agency, the MOA allows nurses who will join the training program to avail of free registration during the in-house training at the ITRMC. This program will run for a period of five to six weeks from November 3 to December 12, 2025. The training will cover various nursing program specializations such as perioperative nursing, maternal health, pediatric nursing, neonatal nursing competency enhancement, basic emergency and trauma, basic critical care nursing, and orthopedic rehabilitation nursing.

In a media interview, Dr. Arlene Ragasa, officer-in-charge of the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital, stated that six nurses at the provincial hospital will initially benefit from the learning program offered by the ITRMC. “This is a big help for us because our nurses need to be trained to better equip them and enhance their knowledge and clinical skills,” Ragasa said.

At present, Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital only has two nurses with basic training in trauma care despite its various critical care units, including neonatal, pediatric, and surgical intensive care.