Cebu hospitals get nearly 100 workers from DOH-7

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Health-7 said it has deployed nearly a hundred medical workers to six hospitals in Cebu in a much-needed move to reinforce the workforce there amid rising COVID-19 cases.

DOH-7 assistant regional director Guy Perez yesterday said these medical workers were deployed to Chong Hua Hospital (38), Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital (31), Perpetual Succour Hospital (14), UC Medical Center (9), and Allegiant Regional Care (5).

Perez said that they are still finalizing and processing the deployment to Ace Medical Center because there were some issues that needed to be addressed.

Perez also added that they have deployed medical workers to hospitals in Negros, who arrived yesterday.

“So atong makita nga they are very responsive compared to the others. We have heard nga daghan ang ni back out when they were to be assigned to the different hospitals with different reasons but others are acceptable,” he said.

Perez said the deployment is the health agency’s response to the rising COVID-19 cases, as well as to bolster the critical care utilization rate among hospitals in the region.

He said that hospitals have more bed capacity but there is lack of manpower or human complement.

With regard to transfer and treatment monitoring facilities, Perez said that local government executives have been responsive in opening more such facilities to accommodate a surge in COVID-19 patients, most of whom mild cases.

Perez also assured that Cebu has an adequate or enough oxygen supplies.

“We have to regulate the use and purchase of this oxygen (because) instead of improving the condition, it might worsen as it (its administration) needs to be supervised by medical personnel,” he said.

Children in Gov’t facility get COVID

Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Representative Paz Radaza has sent aid to Home Care Center for Children in Barangay Gun-ob after learning that the center has been off-limits for visitors following reports that some children there have tested positive for COVID-19.

Radaza said that one of the staff and some children at the center were found positive for the virus.

City Social Welfare and Development Office head Annabeth Cuizon said she still has to coordinate with the head of the center as to the final number of children infected.

“Naguol kaayo ko pagkahibawo nako nga duna diay nag positive sa Home Care. Naguol ko para sa mga bata. Sa ing-ani nga panahon, nga kinahanglan og immediate nga tabang, andam ra gyud ta kanunay,” said Radaza.

Radaza sent food supplies and safety health kits to the center. — Jomelou Q Menorias, CNU Intern, JMD (FREEMAN)