Guba Community Hospital still unable to admit patients

CEBU, Philippines - It has been four months since the repair and rehabilitation of the Guba Community Hospital has finished but the hospital remains unable to accept patients for admission.

Resident Doctor Nestor Casas said the application for a license to admit is still being processed so residents will have to bear a little more.

Currently, the hospital provides only out-patient services such as patients who seek treatment for colds, fever, diarrhea and minor injuries.

Cases that need admission like birth delivery will have to be referred to the Cebu City Medical Center or other hospitals in the city proper some 24 kilometers away.

Casas said that DOH has started inspecting the facility to check if they have complied with the requirements to be able to secure a license to admit.

He said there are just some minor requirements they need to comply like the ventilation, some minor adjustment in the structure and the medical equipment.

The building is much better now which consist of the OPD, laboratory, Emergency Room, Female and Male wards, pediatric ward and labor room among others.

The DOH however did not permit the hospital to operate a Pharmacy because there is no pharmacist assigned. There are three doctors alternately reporting, four nurses after one retired and a driver for the ambulance.

As of the moment, no personnel are on duty during Sunday but the nurse and the driver are on-call for emergencies.

Casas said they receive only about 20 patients a day because they can not admit yet.

In a visit last week, the media was welcomed by clean but quiet hallways and the OPD room with only Casas and a nurse. Casas said they are applying a license for a level 1 hospital.

According to the DOH, a level 1 hospital must be able to provide minimal care management, health education and counseling, primary clinical laboratory, first level radiology, pharmacy (optional), general medicine, general pediatrics, general obstetrics and non surgical gynecology, minor surgery, emergency and outpatient service and patient transport service.

Casas said they are awaiting the X-Ray equipment and some laboratory apparatus and equipment from CCMC.

They have also requested for air conditioners especially for closed rooms. The hospital has a 25-bed capacity.

It can also perform basic laboratory tests such as Hepatitis, Urinalysis and Complete Blood Count.  (FREEMAN)