For VSMMC patient watchers: Capitol opens night shelter

CEBU, Philippines — Families and companions of patients at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) now have a place to rest overnight after the Cebu Provincial Government opened a temporary shelter on Monday, October 26, addressing concerns over patient watchers sleeping on cardboard along the hospital's perimeter.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the opening of the Pasilongan Center along Don Mariano Street near Larsian, directly across VSMMC.

The facility will provide free overnight accommodation for eligible patient companions who cannot stay inside the hospital. It has 40 beds and will begin accepting occupants on Tuesday, October 27, from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.

Each occupant will receive a sleeping kit containing a malong, pillow, mosquito net and bedsheets, as well as access to bathroom and toilet facilities.

The shelter was established following reports of patient companions sleeping outside the hospital because of restrictions on the number of people allowed to stay with patients and the additional expense of finding accommodation elsewhere.

Baricuatro said she had directed the preparation of the facility some time ago and believed it should have been established earlier.

“I actually directed that this specific facility be prepared some time ago and its opening is actually overdue. I even believe this should have been placed last year,” the governor said during the opening ceremony.

“Having someone in the hospital is already difficult. Family should not have to worry where to go for themselves,” she added.

Baricuatro said the provincial government would continue working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government units (LGUs), partner agencies and nongovernment organizations to support families in need.

She also urged occupants to keep the facility clean and safe and comply with its rules.

“To the families who will stay here, I hope this brings to you some comfort and ease your burden. You have people who care and are working about you, including the provincial government,” she said.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) head Marirose Lopez said access to the shelter would be subject to assessment, with priority given to residents of Cebu Province.

VSMMC medical social workers will identify patient companions seeking accommodation and provide their names and identification details to provincial social workers.

Eligible companions must present identification and undergo an interview or assessment before they can use the facility.

Lopez said admission would depend on available capacity and follow a first-come, first-served basis. She did not disclose the project's budget.

VSMMC medical center chief Dr. Gerardo M. Aquino Jr. welcomed the initiative, saying it would help families accompanying patients, including those traveling from towns and cities across the province to seek medical care.

Aquino explained that the hospital's one-patient, one-authorized-watcher policy aims to prevent overcrowding and reduce the risk of infection in patient care areas.

“When you take care of the patients, imo pong tan-awon ang infection ba no, kanang sige og pasulod gikan sa gawas,” Aquino said, explaining the importance of limiting people's movement inside the hospital.

He said overcrowding could become a serious concern given the hospital's capacity of about 1,500 beds.

Allowing two watchers for every patient could mean having around 3,000 companions inside the hospital, in addition to its employees.

“Ang pasyente imbes magpahuway, no, murag merkado,” he said, appealing for the public's understanding of the policy.

Aquino clarified, however, that the policy does not absolutely prohibit a second companion, as the hospital may grant exceptions when circumstances warrant.

The policy is enforced under Hospital Order No. 2024-123, which outlines the process for issuing watchers' passes.

Aquino said VSMMC averages 1,700 to 1,800 outpatient consultations daily, while its emergency room handles about 500 patients a day.

More than 1,000 patients are admitted, underscoring the pressure on the hospital and the need to prioritize those requiring its level of care.

He said the hospital was also strengthening its healthcare referral network and triage process to ensure patients are directed to facilities appropriate to their medical needs.

Meanwhile, VSMMC is constructing a four-storey Kaambag clinic building, whose ground floor is intended to serve as a waiting area for companions of patients in the emergency room.

Aquino said construction had reached the fourth floor and could be completed by the end of the year, allowing the waiting area to be used in 2027.

The planned space will primarily accommodate companions who need to remain nearby while waiting to learn whether their patients will be admitted.- FPL (CEBU NEWS)