Davide says: No more outsourcing of medical personnel

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said that the provincial government will no longer outsource medical personnel because the practice reportedly led to a “dysfunctional” system and resulted to the absence of skilled medical personnel.

“The dysfunctional system destroyed succession and mentoring. There shall be no more outsourcing of medical personnel,” Davide said during his ‘Report to the People’ Monday.

As part of its move to upgrade hospital personnel, the province is reportedly eyeing at hiring more medical personnel. The provincial government has 542 medical personnel, including medical consultants, compared to the 309 last year.

These medical personnel are manning province-run hospitals, including the 10 hospitals that have been upgraded to Level 1 status, which means they can now perform surgeries.

The 10 include the provincial hospitals in the cities of Carcar, Bogo and Danao, and the district hospitals in Bantayan, Barili, Badian, Tuburan, San Francisco, Argao, and Sogod.

There are 16 government-run hospitals in Cebu.

Provincial Health Office chief Cynthia Genosolango said the upgrade would now reduce maternal deaths and high risk pregnancy.

“Dako na kaayo tag na-achieve sa atoang effort sa province. Katong hiring more medical personnel to man our hospitals…We are trying to reduce maternal death and high risk pregnancy which were our worries, but now we are able to respond to these problems,” she told The Freeman.

Davide further reported that eight hospitals have been rehabilitated completely. Six others are also being rehabilitated through the Health Facility Enhancement Program of the DOH, which earlier shelled out P173.5 million to fund the program.

He said rehabilitation of the Badian District Hospital is now 98 percent complete while rehabilitation of the Isidro Kintanar District Hospital in Argao is already 75 percent complete.

The governor’s report on Monday lasted 40 minutes. There were 24 mayors and two congressmen, First District Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas and Second District Rep. Wilfredo Caminero, who listened to his address.

REACTION

Board Member Sun Shimura, a member of the National Unity Party, said he was satisfied with Davide’s report. Davide is a member of Liberal Party.

“I am really proud of our governor sa iyang nabuhat despite sa calamity. Di lalim sa usa ka gobernador nga bag-ohay pa lang unya naagihan sa katalagman,” he said.

Board member Joven Mondigo who is also affiliated with One Cebu, the political party of former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, also thanked the province’s effort to stop outsourcing of employees.

“In terms of medical services, for one iyang gi-express iyang (Davide) gusto nga dili na i-outsource. Kana (outsourcing) usa sad na sa common complaints. Lahi ra gyod ang serbisyo kung sila naa silay security of tenure,” he said.

Gullas also assured he will support projects that will benefit the First District.

Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana commended Davide’s report.

“Karon lang ko nakabati ug naka-witness og usa ka provincial address nga factual ug sinsero gikan gyod sa iyang kasingkasing. Transparency and accountability mao gyod na ang atong gikinahanglan diri,” he said.

Sta. Fe is a recipient of the province’s airport project. – (FREEMAN)