Geriatric wards for Cebu City’s hospitals sought

A PROPOSED ordinance requiring all Cebu City hospitals to set up a geriatric ward received support from some of the city’s hospital chiefs in the City Council’s session last Wednesday.

Dr. Eli Belarmino, medical director of the Metro Cebu Community Hospital, said the ordinance is long overdue.

“People in the pre-departure area are the most neglected part of society,” the 65-year-old Belarmino said.

Belarmino said the Metro Cebu Community Hospital is building a six storey building with its first floor dedicated to elderly patients.

As prposed, violators of the ordinance may be penalized with the suspension of their permit to operate until they can set up their own geriatric ward.

Dr. Joseph Alesna of the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (DVSMMC) told the council that opening geriatic wards would entail additional operational costs. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac