By GABRIEL DOMINIQUE BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has increased patient capacity in its two district hospitals to a total of 160 beds in response to the rising coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson recently designated the Valladolid District Hospital in the south as the province’s second hospital dedicated to COVID-19 patients.
“In response to this crisis, there is a need to increase the bed capacity for COVID-19 patients to cater to the needs of the Negrenses,” Lacson said in a memorandum order issued to Dr. Myre Parpa, Medical Officer IV and the hospital’s officer-in-charge.
He directed Parpa to devote 50 beds for COVID-19 positive cases on or before Sept. 14.
In the north, the Cadiz District Hospital is the province’s first COVID-19 health facility.
In a separate memorandum, Lacson directed Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, Chief of Hospital II, to devote 110 beds for Covid-19 positive patients not later than Sept. 14.
This is an increase of 81 beds from the initial 29 when Cadiz District Hospital was designated as an exclusive facility for COVID-19 patients in March.
The governor said that 20 beds will be established on every floor – on the third, fourth and fifth floors.
Also, 10 beds will be set up in the isolation room and 40 beds will be added at the former Province of Negros Occidental-Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology building.
In an updated action plan released on Tuesday, Lacson said that currently, residents of Bacolod City infected with COVID-19 also compete for beds in Cadiz District Hospital.
He noted that “Negrenses die in ambulances, transports, and homes unable to reach or secure admission in hospitals.”
Lacson urged local government units in the province to learn from the current experience of Bacolod.
Lacson’s comments came after the capital city’s revert to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until Sept. 30.
“In fact other local government units should monitor how the MECQ is implemented, and learn from it. Remember, Bacolod started from a small number, it could happen to the rest of the province if we are complacent,” the governor pointed out.
Asked if putting Bacolod under MECQ was a right decision, Lacson said “The national government sees it fit that Bacolod should be under a tighter community quarantine.”
He added that the provincial government will adjust to the quarantine status of Bacolod City.
“We intend to continue our four-day report to the office and one day of work from home per week schedule,” Lacson said.
Capitol employees residing from outside the province’ capital city will be fetched by government vehicles, he added. (With a report from PNA/PN)
