No more closure of CCMC, will assign ally to head hospital

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña said he is no longer planning to close or sell the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).  Instead, he will assign one of his allies to supervise the hospital’s operations if he will be reelected as mayor after the elections.

But Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said this “change of heart” of  Osmeña about the CCMC is because Osmeña is losing the battle.

“Aw o, kay padung na man siya pildi,” Rama told reporters.

According to Osmeña, he plans to ask Cogon-Pardo Barangay Captain Eugenio Gabuya to supervise the day-to-day activities of the hospital because his wife is a doctor who can help him with the task.

Gabuya used to be one of the leaders of the opposition party in Cebu City. He is now one of the candidates for councilor of the south district under the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK).

Osmeña is still not convinced that CCMC is already improved under the leadership of  Dra. Gloria Duterte who was awarded as the Outstanding Department Head of the Year. The CCMC also won as the Outstanding Department.

In his press conference yesterday, Osmeña criticized Duterte because he recalled that there was a time that the hospital director tried to spend close to P1 million for office supplies from the allocation for drugs and medicines. Osmeña said he will not change his opinion of the CCMC because of its low performance, saying “you just go there and take a look and ask the people whether they are happy, but I will not sell the CCMC. I decided not to sell it.”

The CCMC’s operating budget for this year reached P364 million and P80 million is allocated for drugs and medicines.

According to Osmeña, the doctors’ offices, particularly the one assigned to the medical director, should not be situated at the ground floor so that the space can be used for patients.

Rama said his opponents are now switching opinions on things they

originally opposed like the senior citizen financial assistance.

“Kanang ing-ana gani nga mga changing of hearts parehas sa senior citizen, indication na of their position,” he added.

“Yehey, daug na ang Team Rama!” the mayor said in jest.  (FREEMAN)