Health facility for elderly, Medical groups back ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - Some medical institutions and members of the academe have expressed their support to the proposed legislation establishing a geriatric ward in all healthcare establishments in Cebu City.

The ordinance, proposed by Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos, requires all hospitals, private or public, and homes for the aged operating in the city to provide elderly-friendly health facilities.

Delos Santos said the elderly have the right to be provided with good services and equipped facilities to respond to elders’ developmental needs “that maintain and promote their functional abilities”.

“There is an increasing trend in the number of elderly population or senior citizens in the Philippines who require health services as a natural physiological decline in health due to aging, and therefore, are part of the daily statistics of clients in hospitals, clinics, health centers and home health care,” she added.

Perpetual Succour hospital, Cebu Normal University-College of Nursing and the Golden Center, a non-profit charity shaped by doctors to help provide medical treatments for senior citizens in Cebu, lobbied for the passage of the proposed measure in yesterday’s public hearing.

Sr. Gaudelia Baluyot of PSH said the hospital issued a memorandum supporting the legislation. “It is our duty to take care of  the sick across the life span,” she said.

Also, nurses will undergo trainings that would be more particular on effective nursing care to the senior citizens.

“We support this ordinance since it would enhance the learning experiences of our nursing students in their clinical rotation,” said Laurence Garcia, faculty member of College of Nursing at Cebu Normal University.

However, the chief of  the Cebu City Health Department said it may not be feasible to have geriatric wards in the city’s health centers considering the structures’ limited spaces.

“Naglisod man gani ta’g achieve sa mother-baby friendly facility, how much more this elderly-friendly facility,” CHD head Dr. Daisy Villa said.

Based on the World Health Organization’s Global Database on aging line, the Philippines will continuously witness over the next 30 years a sharp increase of number of persons aged 60 and above.  (FREEMAN)