On Geriatric Wards in Hospitals: Labella to Ask Solons to Suspend Ordinance Approval Pending Compliance from Hospital Authorities

Administrators admit no problem with ordinance setting up special wards for senior citizens; cite lack of resources delays compliance

Because hospital administrators in Cebu City are still not prepared to establish geriatric wards at their respective medical facilities, Councilor Edgardo Labella asked his fellow legislators to hold in abeyance the approval of the proposed ordinance that require hospital authorities to setup special wards for the elderly patients.

Geriatrics or geriatric medicine is a sub-specialty of internal medicine that focuses on the health care of elderly people.

Labella, the proponent of the legislative measure, recalled that during the public hearing conducted last February 20, some of the hospital administrators admitted that they are not yet ready to comply with such a requirement for lack of the necessary infrastructure and other required facilities, as well as lack of specialized geriatric doctors
and other medical personnel.

The north district legislator believed that when similar patients are grouped together in the same ward, one or two devices can be placed nearby for patients who would need them in an emergency situation.

During the public hearing, the hospital administrators clarified that they are not against the proposal requiring them to put up special wards
for senior citizens in their medical facility, but the lack of resources may be one of their problems in complying.

Even Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) director Gloria Duterte said she is very willing to comply with the proposal, but the limited resources of their hospital is a concern.

One of the procedures being implemented in the hospital is that the patients, either are young or old, who have similar illnesses will be grouped in a ward so that it would be easy for them to assign the needed medical equipment.

But Labella said while the ordinance may not be approved yet by the City Council, the City Council would ask the hospital administrators to give serious consideration on the installation of the ward intended especially for old patients.

Once the proposed ordinance will be approved, hospitals that fail to comply with the requirement shall face the suspension of its permit to operate until they can comply with the requirement.