VSMMC to provide docs to Bantayan hospital

CEBU, Philippines - The government hospital in Bantayan Island, which serves the municipalities of Sta. Fe, Madridejos and Bantayan town, will be upgraded and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center will be providing more doctors and improving its facilities.

VSMMC medical chief Gerardo Aquino said the hospital needs at least five doctors – an obygyne, internist, general surgeon, pediatrician and anesthesiologist.

Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s fifth district said that a memorandum of agreement will be entered into and his office will provide subsidy for doctors who will be assigned there.

“Bantayan Island is now becoming a tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches. We need to put more doctors and equipment in the hospital so we can help in the health care needs of our constituents there,” said Salimbangon.

Aquino said that some officials of the Department of Health will be coming to Cebu this week to check the status of the district hospitals in the province.

“I will suggest that Bantayan Island hospital will be a priority,” Aquino said.

Currently, the said hospital has a ten-bed capacity for a population of more than 200,000.

Salimbangon wanted to upgrade this to at least 50-bed capacity and the funds will be taken from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Aquino added that just like what they did for Siargao Island, which is also a tourist destination, a joint undertaking was made between them and the Surigao government to assist and provide doctors for the hospital in the island.

“This can be replicated in Bantayan Island also,” Aquino added.  (FREEMAN)