Damaged building forces VSMMC to pass up neuro, Ob-Gyne cases

The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center has temporarily suspended accepting obstetrics and gynecology and neurology case admissions, except for emergency cases, because of a "major structural defect" of part of a building.

The Office of the Building Official has declared the west wing of the VSMMC main building unsafe for occupancy after its staff found a big crack on the second floor during an inspection last December 9.

But until now the renovation of the three-story building, which houses the pediatric and neuro wards, delivery room and nursery, has not yet started due to lack of funds.

VSMMC chief of clinics Joel Alvis said the day after the crack was discovered they started vacating the dilapidated building. The delivery and nursery rooms were transferred to the private rooms at the second floor of the east wing, the pediatrics ward was transferred to the child survival center while the OB-gyne patients had to settle for the corridors.

Alvis explained that due to the urgency of the situation, the hospital management has decided to use its P2 million savings, earlier meant for the construction of their storage room, for the renovation. He added that they have also requested the Department of Health for funds but were only given P500,000.

Yesterday, Sen. Pia Cayetano, who went to VSMMC to promote breastfeeding, learned of the hospital's plight and promised to allocate P3 million to help in the renovation of the building.

Even with Cayetano's contribution, Alvis said that they still lack about P2.5 million because the renovation of the whole west wing will cost P8 million. He added that other local officials like Cebu 3rd district Rep. Antonio Yapha and 1st district Rep. Eduardo Gullas have also signified their eagerness to help, but have not yet pledged any amount.

"Lisod gyud kaayo. Maayo unta masugdan na dayon ang renovation aron ma-decongest na kay huot gyud kaayo. Ang uban sa hallway na lang," Alvis said, adding that the renovation would take about three months.

The pediatrics ward alone deals with 5,000 to 6,000 patients a month. And with the dwindling budget for the hospital, the management has no other source of money for the renovation.

In the proposed budget of the Department of Health for 2006, VSMMC only has an allocation of P55.9 million for its maintenance and other operating expenses, a decrease from last year's P61.5 million.

Cayetano, who is the incumbent chairwoman of the Senate's committee on health and committee on environment, also said that she would try to talk to President Gloria Arroyo if the latter could put in more funds. - Wenna A. Berondo