Cebu’s district, prov’l hospitals all operational despite damage

CEBU, Philippines - Apart from some structural damage caused by super typhoon “Yolanda”, all of the provincial and district hospitals in Cebu are operational.

Based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) as of  yesterday morning, eight out of 16 district and provincial hospitals are operating.

But according to reports for each municipality and city, all other eight are operating.

This includes the Bantayan district hospital which PDRRMC Chief Neil Sanchez said was able to start accepting patients again after they made clearing operations last Friday since trees and other debris made roads heading to the hospital impassable.

But Sanchez said since the island still does not have electricity supply, the hospital can only take in minor cases.

He added that they have also sent additional medicine to the hospital yesterday along with relief goods for the residents.

Bantayan Island reportedly is one of the most damaged towns in Cebu due to the strong winds and heavy downpour of rain caused by the typhoon which was already forecasted to affect the northern part of the province.

The Bogo provincial hospital is also operating as well as the Daan Bantayan district hospital. Bogo City and the municipality of Daan Bantayan were also badly hit by the super typhoon.

Other hospitals that are operating are the provincial hospitals of  Carcar City, Danao City and Balamban. The latter is reportedly housing 870 individuals from Barangay Baliwagan who have evacuated to the old building of the hospital.

The district hospitals in Argao, Badian, Barili, Camotes Island, Minglanilla, Oslob, Malabuyoc, Pinamungahan, Sogod and Tuburan are also operating.

Meanwhile, at least 19 personnel of the Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-8 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Tacloban City were injured during operations in Eastern Samar following the wrath of super typhoon “Yolanda.”

This was confirmed by Lt. Jim Alagao, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command.

All injured personnel were airlifted from Tacloban City to the hospital of the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City around 1 p.m. last Saturday.

Alagao could not yet release the names of the injured personnel since they did not have consent from the victims.

Alagao said that TOG-8 personnel were assisting residents in moving to different evacuation centers when they were hit by debris carried by the strong winds.

Some of  them were also injured during rescue operations in flooded evacuation centers.

“During operation sa bagyo sa pagtabang na sa mga victims labi na sa pag-assist atong na-stranded sa ilang balay,” Alagao said in a phone interview.

Alagao added that all personnel will be given P50,000 and will be commended for dedicating their lives for the victims of the typhoon.

Further, 17 injured civilians from the Province of Cebu and nine from Tacloban City were also airlifted yesterday. They were taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for treatment, said Nonoy Mongaya, the hospital’s Public Information Officer. (FREEMAN)