All confined athletes discharged from CCMC

CEBU, Philippines — All athletes and other delegates confined at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) have already been discharged, but the hospital’s Palarong Pambansa express lane will be closed only after all delegates already left Cebu.

As of yesterday, there are still who are going around Cebu City and the neighboring localities for sightseeing opportunities.

Dr. Peter Mancao, CCMC medical chief, said that there was only one Palaro patient left as of Tuesday and that athlete was already discharged from the hospital yesterday.

In all, CCMC provided medical attention to close to 130 delegates, including over 20 who needed to be confined.

The Palaro delegates suffered concerns ranging from sprains to fever, including dengue cases, and even appendicitis, which necessitated a surgical procedure.

During the last Palaro press conference last Tuesday, Department of Education Assistant Secretary (Asec) Francis Cesar Bringas, who is also the Palarong Pambansa operations secretary general, lauded Cebu City’s response time to any medical situation.

An infirmary was set up at the main venue for the first time in the history of the Palaro, with high technology equipment from partner companies available for free to athletes and coaches.

Bringas was also impressed with the medical team’s response time.

She said that Cebu City’s medical setup, especially its infirmary, would now serve as a template for future Palarong Pambansa staging.

Dr. Rhoel Dejano, an Olympic doctor and head of the Cebu City Palaro medical team, said he was happy to hear the positive feedback from Asec. Bringas.

He said it was a recognition of the tireless efforts of the doctors, paramedics, and other medical volunteers, who even include those from outside Cebu.

Dejano, who is also a Cebu City Sports Commission commissioner, has offered to DepEd his know-how in setting up the infirmary and medical response team for its future events.

Dejan, Bringas had said, has offered to similarly lead the medical team in future Palaro staging, an offer that he would relay to Gov. Matthew Manotoc of Ilocos Norte, which will host the Palaro next.

The Freeman learned yesterday that Manotoc already talked to Dejano, particularly on the medical response side in hosting the annual sporting event. —/RHM (FREEMAN)