P433-M hospital budget slammed

Cebu City councilors criticized the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) for requesting a big budget for next year when it had not maximized its P218-million appropriation for this year.

CCMC is requesting a P433-million appropriation for 2012 and another P160 million for hospital expansion and parking lot development.

Councilor Margot Osmeña, chairperson of the budget committee, pointed out that the perceived shortage of hospital supplies was mainly caused by poor monitoring of stocks.

“You are asking for a P400-million budget when you can’t event monitor your 2011 budget of P218 million. That is very hard. I don’t think that is reasonable,” she said.

Dr. Gloria Duterte, CCMC chief, said that of the P433 million, P134 million would be spent on drugs and medicines, and another P24 million would be allotted for fluids and re-agents

But she admitted in yesterday’s budget hearing that CCMC still has P2.2 million for reagents and P22,100 for fluids.

They still have 440,000 bottles of fluids in the hospital and a number of bottles are still to be delivered by their suppliers.

CCMC still has P3.8 million for drugs and medicines as of Oct. 31.

Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. asked Duterte to furnish the council a list of personnel assigned at the supply room and laboratory.

Pe wants to know if supply room personnel are keeping track of hospital supplies and why laboratory personnel requested for additional reagents in July when they still have unused supplies that would last until the year ends.

Councilor Jose Daluz III said the personnel could be charged for dereliction of duty.

The council also wants to hold an executive session with hospital officials to look into their operations.

“It is important to do inventory of existing supplies before purchases are made to prevent the possibility of overpurchase kay sayang lang ang supply,” Councilor Noel Wenceslao said.

He is confused why Duterte could not present data on their actual use of supplies when she claims that the hospital keeps a stock card of its supplies.

Wenceslao said this is a clear indication of lack of monitoring in the disbursement of hospital supplies.

On the parking space project, Duterte said this is for the medical consultants. But Osmeña questioned this saying consultants only visit the hospital once a week.

She also questioned the request for P150-million budget for hospital expansion saying it is still “far from reality” as CCMC does not even have the program of works and estimate for the project.