Measure eyes med teams, ambulances in city brgys

CEBU, Philippines - In order to improve the delivery of health services down to the barangays, a proposed ordinance is being pushed for the establishment of ambulance-equipped medical teams in all 80 barangays in Cebu City. 

The proposed ordinance drafted by Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., a member of the City Council committee on health, hospital, services and sanitation, received favorable remarks from the local and regional health units.

“The Barangay Ambulance Service Team Ordinance” intends to “create an ambulance service team in every barangay with ambulance that shall provide basic life support or emergency responses when transporting injured or ill patients to hospitals.”

Every community-based team will be composed of six registered nurses, one qualified paramedic and three professional drivers, as stated under the proposed ordinance, which likewise stipulates certain qualifications that will be strictly observed in the hiring of personnel.

Further, personnel will be entitled to receive a monthly honorarium with a given rate.

Miguel Gerson, representative from DOH-7, said the regional office fully supports the proposed ordinance and commends its sponsor for taking the initiative.

“The creation of Ambulance Service Team in every barangay with ambulance shall provide the emergency medical services which are important in the protection, promotion and of the right to health of the people thru the conduct of basic life support services to patients with illness or injuries in critical condition, disasters or emergencies,” Gerson said, during the public hearing yesterday morning.

He also offered some suggestions on some of the provisions of the ordinance.

City Health Department acting head Dr. Daisy Villa also said the health unit is backing the measure since establishing the barangay ambulance crew, who are the first responders to accidents or disasters, ensures continuity of the city’s health services.

“The Cebu City Health Department believes that a Barangay Ambulance Team is required to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. This also helps the 24/7 operation of our birthing centers, a stand-by ambulance services is vital in achieving a quality community health services,” she said.

In its position paper, the Cebu City Medical Center, likewise, raised some points on the proposed ordinance that might be used to edify the proposed ordinance.

“In general, the hospital does not find anything objectionable of this proposed ordinance, Cebu City Medical Center believes that pre-hospital care, as these teams were envisioned to provide, is an entirely different discipline and practice from hospital care,” read the letter from CCMC Hospital Administrator Rey Cris Panugaling.

Before the public hearing, the proposed ordinance also received favorable recommendation from the Council committee on laws, ordinances, public accountability and good government.

Hospital vehicles

Meanwhile, the Cebu provincial government also turned over yesterday vehicles totaling P1 million to some local government units and government-run hospitals in the province.

This was the fifth wave of distribution of vehicles under the present administration.

A total of eight multicabs were distributed to barangays Mangayan and Candaguit in Sibonga, Sta. Rosa and Tabok in Danao City, San Isidro in San Fernando, Tapul in Talisay City, and Obong in Dalaguete, and to the municipality of Sibonga.

Each multicab was worth P134,000, all amounting to P1.07 million, with Cebu Sendau Motor Sales Inc. as the winning bidder.

Governor Hilario Davide III, in his speech during the turnover ceremony, said the project is part of the province’s effort to improve the delivery of health services and emergency response, which is among the top priorities of his administration.

He stressed that the vehicles were given out upon the request of the local government units.

“We still have pending requests for multicabs. Among paningkamotan nga maapud-apod tanan,” he said.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the vehicles are needed to transport patients from far-flung barangays to the hospitals.

Since 2013, the provincial government has turned over a total of 176 vehicles. —  (FREEMAN)