Isolated Luz patients air sentiments: Late food, no water, no doctor, no nurse

CEBU, Philippines —  Sixty-three of the nearly 140 COVID-19-positive patients from Sitio Zapatera, Barangay Luz, Cebu City have been transferred to the isolation facility in their barangay but are now faced with another set of problems – late meals, intermittent water supply, and absence of doctors and nurses, at least as of yesterday.

A patient, who spoke to The FREEMAN on conditions of anonymity, complained that breakfast was served past 8 a.m. while lunch was served past noontime already yesterday.

“Ganina pasado na alas otso mi nakakaon. Gipalinya mi’s gawas, dayon gipakuha mi’s among pagkaon tagsa-tagsa. Mura man gani’g nahadlok tong nag-distribute sa pagkaon. Layo kaayo pag-announce pa lng nila nga mangaon na. Karon wa pa mi paniudto, ala una naman hapit ron,” the patient said.

Another problem encountered, according to the same patient, is the lack of water supply, especially those staying on the upper floor of the building. Thus, some patients had not yet taken a bath since they were moved there two days ago.

The patient also said they have not noticed any nurse or doctor around.

“Kato rang pag-adto namo’g CCMC (Cebu City Medical Center), pag X-ray namo. Diri, wa may doctor diri. Wala puy nurse. Ganina giingnan ra mi’g kuha mi’s among temp (temperature) unya ipasuwat sa blackboard,” the patient said.

The FREEMAN tried to reach the barangay officials but they were unavailable as of press time yesterday.

Mayor Edgardo Labella yesterday said that the other positive patients opted to stay home in Sitio Zapatera since they have their own place for isolation there, and they are currently asymptomatic.

Security

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) reported that it is providing security detail to the elementary school in Luz that serves as isolation facility.

According to CCPO Director Colonel Josefino Ligan, police personnel are stationed at the entrance as they will assist City Health officials, especially during the distribution of food supplies that will undergo in layers.

"Kung ang pasyente, mo-request og pagkaon, naay paging system sa gawas ug action-an pud dayon unsay panginhanglanon nila,” Ligan said.

Ligan, however, said that apart from the school, the entire Sitio Zapatera is also being heavily guarded as it is under lockdown as of this writing. JMD (FREEMAN)