To address District Hospital issues: Provincial government urges teamwork among other government agencies

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government will further confer with the Department of Health after an assessment on district hospitals all over the province showed problems that need inter-agency action.

Yesterday, officials of DOH and the Provincial Information Office initially met to discuss problems of district hospitals, including issues over medicine supplies and bed capacities.

Representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways were also present during the closed-door meeting.

The improvement of medical health services is part of Governor Hilario Davide III's six point agenda.

According to Jason Monteclar, PIO head, their office has been checking the hospitals' conditions.

Ten out of 16 district hospitals, including those in Sogod, Minglanilla, Argao, Badian and Barili, have already been visited and documented, except those situated outside mainland Cebu.

 Based on the Capitol's documentation, of the 10 district hospitals, the issues mostly include cracks in walls and improper wirings that may cause possible accidents.

Also, Monteclar said that a number of hospital projects were headed by other government agencies and have yet to be turned over to the Capitol.   

Further, there are existing hospital infrastructure projects in various districts, specifically the Out-Patient Department buildings, which are not used because of electrical problems.

 "For example in Sogod, naa nay bago pa nga building but unfortunately dili siya magamit because of electrical problems. Kinahanglan sad siya og clearance sa DPWH before siya magamit. So taas kaayo gyod ang proseso," said Monteclar.

 He added that the OPD building of the Sogod District Hospital has been built for a year but has not been used yet.

The DPWH reportedly still has yet to check the wirings of the building before it will be approved by the DOH to be turned over to the province.

 "Ang gobernador gisapot na kay daghan kaayong wala na turn over," Monteclar added.

 With regards to the budget of the hospital projects, Monteclar said DOH will be presenting a rundown of finances in their next meeting. — Brenna Rose Ibale and Mae Clydyl Avila (FREEMAN)