Catan: After Medical Infra, Obstetrics Is Next

Following the installation of new machines and equipment in several Cebu Provincial Hospitals, the Capitol will now be focusing on the improvement of services for childbirth, pregnancy and gynecology in Capitol-run medical facilities, said Provincial Health Office (PHO) head Dr. Rene Catan.

In an interview over radio dySS on Saturday, Aug. 18, Catan said that the Provincial Government continues to improve the Capitol-run medical centers with capability, modern equipment and medical specialists.

Infrastructure

Early this year, great amount of infrastructure funding went in Cebu’s government hospitals.

The Provincial Hospital in Bogo City will soon establish its P230-million three-storey medical center with the help from the National Government, while provincial hospitals in Danao City and in the town of Balamban are also getting chunks from Senators JV Ejercito and Mig Zubiri, Catan said.

Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph

For the Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Catan said its improvement budget mostly came from the proceeds of the sale of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

“In terms of infrastructure, we’re on it. We should be expecting them (hospitals) na mo daku na gyud na sila,” he said.

Equipment

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) machines are now ready in some provincial hospitals, while a laparoscopy machine and an intensive care unit (ICU) are now available at the Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

“In terms of equipment, hinay-hinay sad tag pamalit, since di man natu madungan tanan. Gi-una usa natu ang Carcar kay adunay daku nga volume sa mga pasyente diha from the south,” he said.

Catan explained that they are making the facility in Carcar City as a pilot hospital because it is considered as the “biggest catchment area” in southern Cebu.

On the other hand, Catan said there is a pending Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) resolution mandating all Provincial hospitals to increase hospital beds from 75 to 200.

Specialist

According to Catan, experts from Manila have expressed interest in working in these facilities, which are now refining its basic services to patients for new-born screening, minor trauma operations and minimal invasive surgery.

He added that since 2016, he has been looking for these specialists, especially on anesthesia, to fill in key services of a genuine medical facility.

“An anesthesiologist is important in an operating room. And an operating room is a vital component in a medical facility,” Catan said. “Without an operating room, a hospital is not a hospital.”

For a hospital to be a genuine medical center, Catan said it has to have the key capabilities of services, such as an operating room and an anesthesiologist.

Obstetrics

Now that the facilities have the capacity to handle some basic services like trauma and surgical operations, Catan said that he now wants to focus on improving proficiencies on pregnancy, childbirth and gynecology.

Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph

“One other specialty that provincial hospitals should be good at is obstetrics and gynecology, because this will be aligned in our strategy in reducing maternal deaths.” Catan said. (CEBU PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT)