Bogo hospital seeking more staff, equipment

CEBU, Philippines- The head of Verallo Memorial Medical District Hospital in Bogo City yesterday said the Cebu provincial government should “expedite” the process of addressing the concerns of the government-run facility.

Dr. Zoraida Yulango, acting chief  of  Verallo Memorial Medical District Hospital, said the province is already processing their requests but “paspasan unta” as the facility is now leveling up to secondary status this year.

In yesterday’s consultative meeting with Gov. Hilario Davide III, the Provincial Board and department heads, Yulango said the hospital lacks the manpower.  She said it is supposed to be a 50-bed capacity but they always get an average of 120 patients a day with only seven doctors and 25 nurses servicing round-the-clock.

“If we want to give adequate services, so we should add medical personnel... because we can’t go on a 24-hour duty solo. We need to function effectively,” she said.

She said they need more doctors and at least 12 more nurses aside from additional medical equipment.

Integrated Provincial Health Officer Cynthia Genosolango said these are the common concerns of the 16 provincial and district hospitals in Cebu, which prompted them to give the “big bulk” of this year’s annual budget to health services.

She said they have also raised the salaries for medical specialists to entice those working in Cebu City hospitals to join the provincial infirmaries.

But so far, she said, there are few applicants.

Genosolango said Bogo City officials headed by Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. have been negotiating with medical groups while dangling benefits just to bring in more skilled personnel to Verallo.

She explained that the province has also opened new permanent positions for nurses for all its hospitals.

“Please spread the need to everybody,” said Genosolango.

She said a new building for the out-patient department will increase the number of hospital patients. “We are in the process of expanding the hospital.”

She added that additional equipment will soon available from the Department of Health.  (FREEMAN)