DOH pushes physical re-layout for CCMC

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Medical Center will implement some changes in its physical layout following the inspection Tuesday by the Department of Health.

Cebu City administrator Lucelle Mercado said the DOH-7 officials also inspected the old City Traffic Operations Management Office along N. Bacalso Avenue which will be used as interim hospital.

Mercado said the inspection is the first step of its attempt to recoup its level 2 accreditation status.

She said that the city hospital has to improve its facility and services to upgrade anew its Level 2 accreditation status and continue its Residency Training Program.

“Daghan og suggestions ang DOH sa ilang inspection sa atong hospital apil ani ang placement sa mga laboratory room, isolation room,” she told The FREEMAN.

Mercado said the DOH has suggested that CCMC should have one additional operating room on top of its three ORs.

She said that DOH also wants the gynecology and pediatrics departments to be transferred to the old CITOM office, which is renovated for the hospital’s extension services.

“Apil pud sa ilang suggestion ang pagbalhin sa surgery ug sa internal medicine sa hospital nga naa sa Bureau of Fire Protection,” she said.

Mercado said that the city government will be incorporating the suggestions of the DOH to upgrade the city hospital’s status.

“Mas maayo man gyod nga mabalik ang atong Level 2 nga accreditation kay aron mapadayon nato ang atong services nga nindot and hopefully ma-complete atong facilities,” she said.

She said Mayor Michael Rama has decided to use the CITOM office as interim hospital since the construction of the P1.5 billion CCMC building may take time.

CCMC was downgraded to Level 1 from Level 2 last year due to its unfavorable conditions at the Bureau of Fire Protection-7 building where it was transferred after its old building was damaged by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013.

The city hospital’s capacity dropped to 108 beds from 300 since it moved to the BFP compound.

CCMC chief of hospital Dr. Gloria Duterte said that the CITOM office can help expand the city’s bed capacity from 108 beds to 150-200 beds. The old CCMC building, which was demolished February last year, occupied a 1.2-hectare lot while the BFP compound only covers an area of 7,000 square meters.

After the renovation of the CITOM building this month, Mercado said the city hospital can start expanding its services.

“Atong paninguhaon nga ma-incorporate nato ang suggestions sa DOH this month para makapa-evaluate ta next month and ma-upgrade atong status,” she said. (FREEMAN)