Improved district hospitals, a must

If there's any good in a given crisis, like, the dengue contagion of almost nationwide proportions, it's the bitter learning experience.

For one, district hospitals in Cebu Province have inadequate resources and capabilities, say, in patients' accommodations, lack of doctors/nurses/attendants/technicians, etc., lack of medicines and laboratory facilities. Most often, serious patients and excess patients are transported to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in the capital.

For another, because of poverty, many dengue stricken victims were brought to the hospitals and health centers beyond healing, as their platelets had gone down to fatal shock syndrome. Among slum areas and farming villages, their sick children had to make do with herbal treatment. Many of the parents wanted their young ones treated in hospitals or district hospitals, but then, money is still a necessary factor.

The latest statistics in Cebu Island appear to be more than 6,000 infected with the mosquito-borne disease so far, and 43 dead. Whether or not the epidemic is abating, or still on the rise, there's no certain way of knowing. In these critical and trying times, children's lives are on the line.

In Cebu City, Mayor Mike Rama has stood out an unexpected hero. He leads the many unsung heroes of the CCMC doctors and medical staff down the bottom utility workers. While at first carping over patients from outside Cebu City - many from the towns - the CCMC harried personnel turned around in attitude, when Mayor Mike Rama handed an order that "no patient should be rejected, especially emergency cases". And the Cebu City officialdom, without much fanfare, timely passed the supplemental budget of P10 million for additional medicines. Congrats to Cebu City Mayor Rama, the City Council, and the CCMC personnel.

What is disturbing in district hospitals concerns the alleged utter shortage of doctors, nurses, and other personnel complement, shortage of medicines and laboratory materials, facilities, etc. and the whole works. These inadequacies surfaced during the current dengue crisis. One is aware though that some media commentators, like, radio blocktimers have been very critical against Gov. Gwen Garcia, including uncalled for childish and personal criticisms as below the belt.

 To recall, this writer had conveyed simple felicitations to the lady governor for putting up district hospitals in strategic towns of Cebu. Given the affluent coffers of the Capitol as evidenced by its readiness, if not alacrity, to share its bounty now and then, it is fervently hoped that Cebu Province shall address the plight of its district hospitals.

Sadly, most of the district hospitals only serve as halfway stations enroute to the VSMMC where poor patients are brought by their ambulances. If one's info is correct, the ambulance service is for a fee. Another info is that Cebu House solons are sharing their P70 M "pork barrel" to the VSMMC for their respective constituents.

To improve and expand the medical and laboratory services of all the district hospitals - not merely "band-aid" stop-over clinic - multi-millions are needed. Perhaps, the district congressmen where district hospitals are located shall share their "pork barrel" funds; and, the LGUs with district hospitals, together with the LGUs in the area of proximity shall also appropriate funds on prorated basis. And, of course, the provincial government must not be left on its lonesome to shoulder alone the needed funding for better and sustained maintenance.

While the task appears Herculean, its accomplishment is not impossible. And once attained with determination and political will, together with all LGUs concerned, the Regional Development council and the national agencies involved, such awesome project could be the greatest life-saving and humanitarian legacy to the Cebuanos.

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