CCMC says budget is still not enough

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Medical Center’s budget this year may be higher compared to last year but CCMC Officer-In-Charge Dr. Gloria Duterte said it still cannot accommodate all the services that their patients need.

CCMC’s budget had increased from P211 million last year to P279 million for the hospital’s operation this year but Duterte said that it is still not enough to cater to the hospital’s services.

Duterte said they proposed a budget of P550.2 million for this year’s operations to acquire some equipment and for other expenses that will assist the patients but only P211 million was approved, a half of their proposal which was later increased to P279 million.

She said they needed equipments that are very useful in assisting the patients like- CT scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which will really help their patients.

“We tend to refer the patients to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).” Duterte said.

In a press briefing, she added that the hospital still needs the revival of the Radiology Training Program, the revival of the department of Pathology, the accreditation of departments and provide the honorarium for surgeries.

They also presented documents during the press briefing showing CCMC’s needs for this year including enough budget for Personnel Services, Medical Equipment Acquisition, Hospital Information System and adequate supply for drugs, medicines, laboratory reagents, medical and office supplies.

Duterte said the hospital also needs consultants to man each department and sections that will improve the department’s performance.

Last year’s budget was used to renovate some of the hospital’s facilities like their lobby and their new accounting office. Duterte also expressed concern that the approved budget for the Security Services of P1, 600 million is not enough to pay for the ten security guards that are currently posted at the hospital.

They also presented a document which stated that there was “no budget for hiring of 33 regular personnel” even if their proposed P186, 008,619 budget was approved 100 percent.

Duterte also admitted that they regret the pullout of Senator Sergio Osmeña’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) which was transferred to VSMMC saying it might be a great help for the hospital. (FREEMAN)