Cebu City eyes 200-bed modular hospital at SRP

CEBU, Philippines —  To help augment the COVID beds in the city, the Cebu City government is planning to establish a modular hospital at the South Road Properties (SRP).

“Upon the request of the city government thru Acting Mayor Mike Rama and Mayor Edgar Labella, we have sent a request to the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) Central Office for funding of 200 (bed capacity) modular hospital to be constructed at the SRP. So ang ilang gipangayo, ang yuta lang nga katukuran sa maong modular hospital,” said Councilor Jerry Guardo.

Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, said they already identified an area near the NOAH Complex where the modular hospital could be put up.

He said the location is very suitable considering that it is not densely populated and is not a residential area.

“Ang ilaha sa'ng design is in conformity sad sa DOH (Department of Health) nga standard para compliant na siya so that when we apply for a permit, dili na sad sila maglisod,” he said.

Guardo said based on the design provided by the DPWH-7, at least six COVID patients can be accommodated in each room which is air conditioned, and every room has its own comfort room.

He added there will also be a nurses’ station and a pharmacy as well as laboratory.

“This is really designed to address ang kakulang gyud nato sa accommodation sa mga COVID patients, mga hospital beds… I agree ang atong hospital naa silay (beds), but these are all not designed for COVID patients man gud,” said Guardo.

Guardo said the target date for the commencement of the construction is October.

He said since the construction of the 200-bed capacity modular hospital is expected to be done in three months, the project might be completed before December ends.

“And that can already start to accommodate ang atoang mga COVID patients if denied ang ilang accommodation sa private hospitals,” said Guardo.

He said the DPWH-7 is still finalizing the detailed plan including the budgetary estimate, but the budget will be charged against the disaster funds of the said department.

Fund allocated

It was Rama who lobbied funding for the construction of the hospital amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in Cebu City. The DPWH has set aside has set aside P250 million for the construction.

Cebu City has 3,479 active cases and a total of 156 deaths due to COVID-19 in the first 18 days of this month.

“Actually, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar has quickly responded to the need to expand our hospitals in Cebu because of a spike of Covid-19. The department will implement this in line with our emergency response program. This time, we don’t construct isolation or quarantine facility anymore but we will give modular hospitals as an extension to the existing government hospitals,” said Engr. Edgar Tabacon, DPWH-7 director in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.

The modular hospital will be managed by the Cebu City Medical Center later on.

The total budget allocation from the DPWH will also include the road network, lighting system as well as generator in case of power interruption. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, JMD (FREEMAN)