Cebu City gov’t sets up medical tents to assist hospital admissions

CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Cebu City government is setting up medical tents outside major hospitals catering to COVID-19 patients to assist in the admission triage. 

Councilor David Tumulak said the city received six medical tents from Red Cross, and they are planning to set these up outside Chong Hua Hospital, Southwestern University Medical Center, Cebu City Medical Center, and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC). 

Although they have yet to determine how many patients can fit inside the medical tents with respect to social distancing, Tumulak said the extra space would help waiting patients be more comfortable.

On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, long lines were still observed in one of the private hospitals in the city, which Tumulak said will be among the first to get an installed tent. 

“Kining mga tent, dako kaayo ni nga tabang aron anha nalang sila sa tent maghuwat nga matagad sila sa atong mga doctors and nurses,” said Tumulak. 

Since only four out of six tents will be used by the hospitals, the other two will be kept by the city government for future use. 

The Emergency Operators Center (EOC) recently said in a statement that at least 15 hospitals are now in critical state, with occupancy for each reaching 90 percent. 

Generally, for all hospitals jn the city combined, the occupancy rate is at 72 percent. The EOC said this is still too high. 

Need for more nurses, doctors

Aside from opening more isolation centers to decongest hospitals, the city is hiring at least 250 nurses and doctors to help man the medical facilities, isolation center, and vaccinations sites. 

However, Doctor Jeffrey Ibones, the head of the City Health Department (CHD) said that the applications are still low. 

In fact, only one doctor applied and not all of the 40 nurses who were accepted committed to the job. 

The CHD is encouraging nurses and doctors to apply for the position, which is only for three months, because their services is essential for the city to survive this new surge of the COVID-19. 

/bmjo