CCMC wants P500M budget for 2013

 CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) head Gloria Duterte wants a budget of more than P500 million for next year’s operational expenses.

The amount includes appropriation for the construction of an extension hospital building to accommodate more patients.

When Mayor Michael Rama proposed the 2012 annual budget amounting to P10.8 billion, Duterte inserted a P150-million appropriation for the construction of an extention hospital building.

However, the City Council did not approve it.  For this year, CCMC has  a budget of P279 million.

Rama conducted an ocular inspection at the 49-year-old city-run hospital yesterday.

He said that CCMC’s condition has improved but there is still more room for improvement.

Rama has been against  the plan to close or sell the facility.

Rama visited the pediatric ward shortly before noon yesterday and observed the lack of ventilation.

Some parents of patients personally requested the mayor to provide them with electric fans.

The wanted to bring their own electric fans but hospital management prohibits bringing in of appliances.

The mayor instructed his consultant Paul Hubahib to work together with Duterte to improve the ventilation of the room.

Rama later announced that he is planning to make the children’s ward and the OB Ward air-conditioned.

If the mayor’s plan will be realized, it will increase the hospital’s budget for power.

“Siguroon nato ang mga bata kay luoy kaayo ang mga bata nga init ang ilang ward,” Rama said.

Duterte has implemented rules to minimize the number of watchers in the OB Ward.

She provided a space outside the ward where the watchers can stay and wait to be called if their patients need help.

As of yesterday, hospital staff were still installing the paging system for the watchers. (FREEMAN)