CCMC chief bats for P.5M budget

CEBU, Philippines - If the P500 million proposed budget for next year’s operation of the Cebu City Medical Center will be realized, there may be enough drugs and medicines for its patients and the city can already purchase additional medical equipment.

Outgoing CCMC director Eduardo Sedoripa said he already submitted the copies of the proposed hospital budget to City Hall and it is up to city officials whether to approve it or make some adjustments.

The CCMC’s budget for this year is only P211 million, of which only P20 million is allocated for drugs and medicines.

Sedoripa, who was on indefinite leave starting yesterday, proposed to increase the budget for personnel services to P200 million, while close to P200 million for the Monthly Operating and Other Expenses and P111 million for the Capital Outlay.

He explained that the city can already hire additional doctors, nurses and other medical staff if the budget for personnel services will be increased. Sedoripa also suggested to raise the budget for drugs and medicines to P137 million.

CCMC only has 484 employees although the Department of Health requires it to have at least 600 personnel.

“Kon ma-approve ang P137 million nga budget para drugs and medicines, dili na kinahanglan nga ang mga pasyente mamalit pa’g mga tambal sa gawas sa ospital kon sila ma-admit,” said Sedoripa who already bid goodbye to City Hall officials yesterday.

He proposed that the city should allocate enough budget for the repair and improvement of CCMC, including the purchase of organ-imaging and other laboratory equipment to improve the hospital’s services.

“Kon dunay igong kwarta ang City Hall, ilabi na og makuha nato ang P10 billion nga budget nganong dili man nato ihatag ang gipangayo nga budget sa CCMC?” said Mayor Michael Rama in a separate interview.

Sedoripa did not say he will no longer return, but he said he also wants to look after the future of his family after serving the public for eight years as municipal health officer of Boljoon and CCMC.

Rama said he will appoint Dr. Gloria Duterte, the concurrent head of the CCMC’s Internal Medicine department, as acting hospital chief.

Sedoripa said CCMC has several talented personnel, although he said there is a need to guide them to become effective in their duties and responsibilities.

Sedoripa, 34, is set to leave for Canada within this month and is planning to practice his profession there.   - (THE FREEMAN)