Danao, Balamban hospitals get upgrade

THE district hospitals in Danao City and Balamban town will be formally classified as provincial hospitals soon.

With their upgrading as provincial hospitals its bed capacity will be raised to 100 beds.

Its clinical and nursing services will also be increased as required by the Dept. of Health (DOH)  for  tertiary level hospital.

Currently these hospitals are classified as secondary hospitals with 50-bed and 25-bed capacities respectively.

Among the requirements for tertiary hospitals is the establishment of at least one specialized medical department and full-time ambulance service.

The Cebu Provincial District Hospital in Balamban will be inaugurated on Sept. 28 to be followed by the Cebu Provincial District Hospital in Danao City on Oct 10.

Integrated Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Cristina Giango, said the provincial hospital is categorized in the tertiary level which can treat cases like bone surgeries.

Meanwhile, the upgrading of the Bogo District Hospital, which also runs a 50-bed capacity, is still awaiting approval from the DOH.

At present, the province has 16 Philhealth-accredited district hospitals that can provide primary and secondary health care.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia pledged to complete the upgrading of status of the four hospitals before her term ends on May 2013.

In 2010, Garcia allocated P70 million for the construction, rehabilitation, furnishing and maintenance of provincial and district hospitals and birthing centers.

Last year, the upgrading of the hospitals went full circle, and to date, almost all towns had birthing centers. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent