CCMC ward exclusive for inmates proposed

CEBU, Philippines - There is now a proposal seeking for the Cebu City officials to allow the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to construct a ward at the Cebu City Medical Center intended only for ailing inmates on condition that the jail officials will provide the CCMC with the needed drugs and medicines.

The Cebu City Council had already given its authority to Mayor Tomas Osmeña for him to sign a memorandum of agreement with BJMP-7 regional director Doris Dorigo for the realization of the project.

The construction of an exclusive ward for the inmates at the CCMC is aimed at lessening the escapes done by prisoners during their confinement at the hospital because it would already be easy for the jail officers to guard them. Statistics showed that there were already a number of prisoners who managed to escape from their jail guards even if they were handcuffed to their beds while being confined at the CCMC.

Councilor Christopher Alix, chairman of the Committee on Health and Hospital Services, endorsed the approval of the agreement because he also sees the need for the inmates to be segregated from other patients to promote public safety.

“Duna man go’y ubang pasyente nga dili mahimutang kon ang tupad nila nga pasyente mga priso kay basin og maghimo unya og binuang mao nga maayo gyod nga ilain sila’g ward,” a CCMC doctor who requested anonymity said.

The agreement is that it will be the BJMP officials who will take responsibility for the renovation expenses, fixtures and furniture of the separate ward for the inmates and also for sanitary purposes.

BJMP officials are obliged to provide the CCMC with drugs and medicines for the prisoners, which are not available in the hospital. They are also required to secure the inmates during their confinement. —Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)