Talisay hospital gets upgrade

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay District Hospital will be formally converted into a tertiary hospital soon.

Cebu first district Rep. Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas yesterday said that with the upgrading into a tertiary hospital, its bed capacity will be raised to 250 beds from the 25 beds.

"I'm happy to announce that House Bill 4347, an act converting the Talisay District Hospital into a tertiary hospital and increasing its bed capacity to 250 beds was approved with amendments earlier in the meeting of the Committee on Health chaired by Congressman Franny Erigue," Gullas said.

The 25-bed capacity Level I hospital was established in 1994 by virtue of Republic Act No. 7799. Initially, the hospital was envisioned to provide health services to 22 barangays in the city, including the neighboring municipality of Minglanilla and the City of Naga.

According to Gullas, during the meeting, the Department of Health recommended that the upgrade should be gradual.

Gullas said there is a necessity to increase its bed capacity because the hospital serves as the immediate health facility for trauma, vehicular accidents, among others.

In 2011, the hospital referred about 1,119 trauma cases to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. From January 1 to June 30, 2012, the Talisay District Hospital referred 2,083 trauma cases to VSMMC. (FREEMAN)