First batch of regular medical staff for province-run hospitals takes oath

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday made official the appointments of 14 medical doctors, the first batch of regular medical personnel to look over province-run hospitals.

Davide had earlier announced that the Capitol would permanently hire doctors and other hospital employees as part of its program to upgrade the standards of provincial and district hospitals all over the province.

In an interview, Davide said the advantage of having permanent hospital staff is to ensure “continuity and service.”

“Para di maputol and maka-devote full-time sa ilang trabhao,” said Davide.

The governor had earlier noted that one of the problems of the province-run hospitals was the lack of permanent doctors, as most of them are working part-time and every now and then, these doctors would leave for better-paying positions in some private hospitals.

“Nagpasalamat ko nila…di lalim moentra sa gobiyerno. They are earning well (in private practice). Pero mas gipili nila ang moserbisyo sa mga katawhan,” the governor said.

The newly sworn-in doctors will be assigned in the district and provincial hospitals of Bogo, Daanbantayan, Badian, Barili, Minglanilla, Oslob and others.

Davide said they are still recruiting more medical personnel.

Provincial health officer Cynthia Genesolango, who also took her oath as Provincial Health Officer I, said the province will also hire permanent dentists, medical technologists, radiologists, nurses and others for every state-run hospital.

“Giuna gyud atong mga doctors. The rest of the positions will follow. They are as equally important,” she said, adding that this is the first time that Cebu has hired permanent medical staff to man its hospitals. — (FREEMAN)