Gaane cites congestion of hospitals due to COVID-19 surge

AS the city is now having a surge of COVID-19 cases, Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, chair of the City Council committee on health and health insurance on Monday expressed concern over the congested hospitals in the city. She said some COVID-19

patients are already in the waiting areas.

This was her reaction to the special report of Councilor Lordan Suan during the regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy regarding the proposal to

utilize covered courts in barangays as temporary holding facilities for COVID-19 patients.

Councilor Gaane said the Department of Health (DOH) Region 10 has only one referral hospital which is the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC). She said NMMC caters to five provinces.

She said the J.R.Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) is catering to mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. Critical patients are immediately referred to the NMMC, she reported.

“Pero tungod sa kadaghan na nga cases dili na masulod sa hospitals,” she cited.

Councilor Gaane said the fourth floor of the new building of JRBGH has already been occupied as COVID ward. “Ubay-ubay pa gyud ang cases nga naa sa gawas pero gapaningkamot ang city nga atong ma-accommodate,” she said.

She informed the legislative body that the city-owned JRBGH is not only catering to residents from the city but also from other provinces outside Cagayan de Oro.

In response to the proposal of Councilor Suan regarding alternative measures for vaccination roll-out, Councilor Gaane said the city is now eyeing barangays as vaccination sites to accommodate more residents.

VACCINATION TARGET

The city is targeting 7,000 persons to be vaccinated per day to attain herd immunity.

However, she said it depends on the vaccines provided by the national government.

“Kulang gyud ang vaccine sa national pero gapaningkamot ang city nga atong ma- acomodate para ma-attain gyud nato ang herd-immunity,” she opined.

Vice Mayor Uy referred the special report of Councilor Suan to the committee on health for appropriate action.