Rama inspects CCMC amid dengue scare

Mayor Michael Rama yesterday inspected the Cebu City Medical Center to ensure that it is better prepared to handle dengue patients.

Rama raised the dengue alert in Cebu City after hearing reports of 10 dengue deaths and dengue cases recorded at 2,108 as of July 21.

In a visit to the city-run medical facility, Rama saw for himself the discomfort patients have to endure due to lack of ventilation, especially in the pediatrics, OB gyne and dengue wards in the third floor. He also found patients in the pediatrics ward sharing beds.

About 67.8 percent of the dengue patients in the city are children.

CCMC hospital chief Gloria Duterte however stressed that even if there would be no major reconstruction at the CMCC, they can still cope with the influx of dengue cases.

Rama says he will ask the city’s engineering department to work on improving natural ventilation so patients can be more comfortable.

He says he wants the improvement done next week.

“It’s really warm, most of the patients are complaining,” says Dr. Lee James Maratas head of the pediatrics wards.

The biggest ward, the dengue ward has only two evaporative electric fans to ease the humidity in the room.

The mayor said the city will provide two more electric fans.

Aside from the poor ventilation, Rama said he has not found any major problems at the CCMC in contrast to the claims of his arch critic, south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña who wanted to close the hospital.

“Things are getting better,” Rama said.

Meanwhile,Duterte wants to increase their capital outlay for next year from their existing P279 million.

She said the increase is needed to upgrade the wards and improve other services.

As of now the hospital receives donations from various non-government organizations in improving its facilities.