This was revealed by City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula during Monday’s flagraising ceremony at City Hall even as he strongly pushed for the upgrading of the [...]]]> Cagayan De Oro City — The city government will allocate an additional P5 million funding for the emergency purchase of drugs and medicines at the J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital.

This was revealed by City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula during Monday’s flagraising ceremony at City Hall even as he strongly pushed for the upgrading of the city-run hospital.

Aside from allocating more funds for drugs and medicines, Mayor Jaraula is also contemplating the appointment of a regular administrator and a laundry administrator at the City Hospital.

Mayor Jaraula said that the P5 million allocation is an addition to the current P27.8 million budget set aside by the city government intended for the hospital’s drugs and medicines.

It can be recalled that Mayor Jaraula recently lashed back at his critics who criticized the city government for its alleged abandonment and neglect on the basic needs of the J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital.

In a press conference held last week at his office, Mayor Jaraula clarified that the city has allocated this year an amount of P91.347 million for the’respectable operation’ of the city-run hospital.

This amount is broken down as follows: P50.647 million for personal services which is basically intended for salaries, wages and allowances for doctors, dentists, nurses and other health personnel; P32.9 million for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE); P27.8 million for drugs and medicines and P5 million for other expenses.

In addition to local funds, Mayor Jaraula said the local government got a P62 million subsidy from the national government through the Department of Health (DOH) as part of the pledge of commitment by President Arroyo in August 2007.

Of the said amount, according to Mayor Jaraula, some P22 million is intended for the completion of the construction of the J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital Annex Building Project, while the remaining P40 million will be used for the upgrading and expansion of the 22 barangay health centers all over the city. (City Information Office)

Former City Hospital Chief Dr. Vincent Tero disclosed that too much politics played at the city hall-run hospital pushes it into a “pitiful” state.

“The order of the day [...]]]> The facilities and services of the city government-run J.R. Borja General Hospital could have been improved if the equipment, drugs and medicines donated by other sources were accepted.

Former City Hospital Chief Dr. Vincent Tero disclosed that too much politics played at the city hall-run hospital pushes it into a “pitiful” state.

“The order of the day is not to accept any donation coming from the opposition bloc especially from Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Reps. Rolando Uy and Rufus Rodriguez,” he said.

Tero who also served as City Health Officer during the incumbency of Mayor Vicente Emano and then was later detailed to the Philippine National Red Cross –Mindanao Blood Bank when he accommodated some P2 million worth of medicines from Pimentel sometime in 1997.

He said during his stay with the city hospital, he accepted a donation of CT Scan from Pimentel, but he was allegedly ordered to reject the same and later transferred to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).

“Naa unta’y CT scan ang city hospital. Dili na unta mobayad ug tag-tres mil ang mga pasyente sa dakbayan kung magpa-CT scan pero wala dawata,” he stressed.

Another CT scan coming from Rep. Uy was about to be delivered to the city hospital last year, but was again rejected by the present administration without any justifiable reason.

Tero said the present administration has made the city hospital into a “pitiful” state including it’s services to the public.

“Bisan gapas ug alcohol wala diha. Tambal pa kaha hinoon,” he added.

A reliable source said that according to the Dr. Tero operating equipment lamps and other equipment are no longer serviceable.

The hospital use fluorescent lamps as incubator for premature babies.

“Ang suga kahulogon. Gihiktan na lang. Mahadlok ang gi-operahan,” he said.

He said that turning-over the entire responsibility of the city hospital to the Department of Health (DOH) is the only solution to uplift the status of the city hospital.

Members of the opposition bloc is set to conduct an investigation on Tero’s disclosures.

Earlier, Dra. Fe Tagayuna, who was appointed by City Mayor Constantino Jaraula to head the city hospital but later resigned from office after she was reportedly detailed to one of the urban barangays.

Assistant Minority Floor Leader Roger Abaday said Tero’s pronouncement is a clear indication that the city hospital has been manage badly.

“Maulaw kita sa katawhan nga instead of improving it’s services to the public it has become an awkward health service provider. This should be corrected,” he said. by LITO RULONA Gold Star Daily News Mindanao

Jaraula said this at Bombo Radyo over the weekend in reaction to the bill of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez seeking to make the city hospital an annex [...]]]> CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Constantino Jaraula said that the national government can always give financial assistance to JR Borja Memorial City Hospital even if it doesn’t acquire its ownership.

Jaraula said this at Bombo Radyo over the weekend in reaction to the bill of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez seeking to make the city hospital an annex of the national government-owned Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).

Both hospitals are located in Cagayan de Oro City; the city hospital in Carmen, the NMMC along Corrales avenue.

Jaraula added that he is not opposed to the city hospital becoming an annex to NMMC provided that there will be no change in ownership.

“If it’s only for operational purpose, then yes, I will not oppose for the city hospital to become an annex of NMMC. But if there is a change of ownership, no,” the mayor bluntly said over the radio.

In justifying his stance, Jaraula said that the efforts of Cagayan de Oro in keeping ownership of the hospital since 40 years ago when it was established would all go in vain once it transfers ownership to the national government.

House Bill 239 provides “for the upgrade and modernization of the J.R. Borja City Memorial Hospital as an extension hospital of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro and appropriating funds therefore.”

Once passed into law, the city hospital would be placed under the direct supervision of the Department of Health (Doh) and thus automatically qualify for yearly funding from the national government’s General Appropriations Act.

JR Borja Memorial City Hospital was named after former Mayor Justiniano R. Borja who also has a street and a statue named after him. By MARK D. FRANCISCO Gold Star Daily News Mindanao

In an interview, assistant chief of hospital Philip Medalle quickly dismissed the idea though that the new memorandum is already the result of the lack of [...]]]> Haunted by lack of physicians, the management of JR Borja Memorial City Hospital recently issued an advisory that there will be no more patient consultation available on Saturdays and Sundays.

In an interview, assistant chief of hospital Philip Medalle quickly dismissed the idea though that the new memorandum is already the result of the lack of doctors.

“But this policy is also allegedly done in other government hospitals. We still serve despite constraitns on equipment and doctors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Medalle said he is denying a newspaper report (not this publication) that there are no more doctors left at the city hospital located in Carmen.

Medalle said there are still 17 physicians left employed at the city hospital.But Medalle admitted that 18 of the 35 physicians earlier employed by the city hospital have already left.

A few of these doctors were already in “greener pasteurs” and have resigned for “professional upliftment.” The rest are with other local government units.

Medall theorized that the less stressful workload of other local government units was probably enticing to the doctors.

“But we did not lose these doctors in one time. It was over a period of time,” he said. He also said that the remaining doctors are happy that their colleagues are now with other local government units.

He emphasized that JR Borja Memorial City Hospital is just a secondary hospital and is serving the poorest among the poor. Medalle said he has been with the hospital for over 20 years. by Susan Palmes GoldStarDaily.

Many careers are destroyed and dreams died because of politics.

I am sad about what happened to Dr. Dures Fe Tagayuna, the Chief of Hospital of the city hall run J.R. Borja Hospital (City Hospital). What happened to her could also happen to doctors, engineers and other professionals [...]]]> Career Wrecker

Many careers are destroyed and dreams died because of politics.

I am sad about what happened to Dr. Dures Fe Tagayuna, the Chief of Hospital of the city hall run J.R. Borja Hospital (City Hospital). What happened to her could also happen to doctors, engineers and other professionals invited to join the government.

I first heard talks of doctors, friends and other people close to Dr. Tagayuna late last year but I did not mind them. I though it could never happen to her because she was personally picked by Mayor Constantino Jaraula to head the city hospital.

I was thinking Jaraula would be man enough to support and stand by Tagayuna or, at the very least, “return” the good doctor to Northern Mindanao Medical Center where the good mayor got her-if that was possible.

She is now back to private practice and she has been avoiding the media, I was told.

I remember her at the NMMC. Dr Fernando Dy of the surgery department introduced me to his chief Dr. Tagayuna sometime in 2002. We always talked about women’s health and advocacies.

She was a pediatric surgeon, a clinician at that time, she was uprooted from NMMC. She was also the president of the Philippine College of Surgeons, Northern Mindanao Chapter in 2005 until she was picked by Mayor Jaraula to head the dilapidated JR Borja Hospital, a hospital that has always been deprived the government attention.

I said she was introduced to the new mayor of Cagayan de Oro in 2007. Her appointment was one act of Mayor Jaraula I personally lauded. I told myself that the “mayor must be serious as this is beyond politics.” Appointing someone who is really for quality surgical care was a move that gave the hospital some hope.

The lady doctor was so excited and started to dream for the city hospital. I knew this because she texted me and in fact promised to grant me an interview about her plans for the city hospital.

I guess she was promised the moon and the stars before she accepted the position. And I guess what she had in mind was a plan to transform the hospital into something Cagayan de Oro can be proud of.

I was told that people at the NMMC were also very happy that Dr. Dures was named head of the city hospital thinking that with Tagayuna there, patients would start looking it as an option instead of congesting the NMMC.

Exactly how and why she caught the ire of the politicians is a matter for many speculations. One is on the controversy started by the two congressman’s bill that seeks to place the city hospital under the control of the national government. I think it was not Tagayuna who pushed for it. There was a clamor for it.

Another was that Tagayuna was an outsider and someone inside want to take over.

Now she is being forgotten. Granting that she was behind the move to convert the city hospital, can they blame her? Who in his or her right mind would not think about it considering the sorry state of the hospital? It cannot even provide x-ray services because there was no film. At times, there was even no supply of cotton. I was told she was so frustrated like the other doctors and nurses.

So she was offered to be the head of city hall’s outreach program. That meant a demotion. What a waste! If only she stayed at NMMC…

The doctors really wanted to rally behind Tagayuna but she asked them to drop it. This is a lesson for doctors and other professionals. When a politician asks for your help think again because you might end up like Dr. Dures Tagayuna. By Susan Palmes

I am writing this to show my sentiments on the current issue that the Chief of Hospital of J.R. Borja General Hospital in the person of Dr. Dures Tagayuna received an order recalling her to the City Health Office. What’s all the fuzz? Dr. Tagayuna has done more for [...]]]> Published at Gold Star Daily
January 6, 2009

A doctor who is [...]]]> The relief of Dr. Fe Tagayuna as chief of the city hospital – that so-called hospital that is a proud symbol of the city’s rich history of tradition and culture – smells poops from miles away. She is being relieved and in her place is a management team of four division chiefs.

A doctor who is confident of her skill and proud of her craft, she opted to resign rather than allow selfish political interests to play football with her career. Sayang! Medical professionals who are willing to sacrifice their wallets to serve in the public health sector are exceptionals in these times when pragmatism dominates over idealism.

The unprofessional way dirty politics treat her is also another good reason why that so-called city hospital should be operationally and administratively placed under the Department of Health as envisioned by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez and Klarex Uy in their bill.

I see city hall’s move against Dr. Tagayuna as a face-saving measure after it declared innocence and non-consultation over the bill of our two congressmen. She has been invited and has attended several hearings in Congress as the legislation was in progress. Since it is city hall that approves her travels, its professed innocence goes against logic.

First, it was Dr. Alex Calingasan. Now it is Dr. Fe! Who’s next?

Even if city hall claims that the relief move was in the interest of public service, still, it is very difficult to see the logic.

If two doctors in a row cannot manipulate the city hospital into what politicians want in that so-called cultural institution. I cannot see who can and what will except the Rodriguez-Uy bill!

Politicians think that from a single manager to a team-of-four managers is an innovative approach to the problems plaguing the city hospital, I invite them to think again. Too many cooks spoil the broth! I hope there is a place for four more people at the city health office, should it be their time to become pawns of vested political interests.

The transfer of Dr. Tagayuna to the city health office – if only she did not opt to resign – makes that office practically a dumping ground of personnel whose only mistake is holding the better interest of the sick and dying public close to their hearts; much closer than political and partisan kow-towism!

Or, could it be that Dr. Tagayuna refused to be a part to “paksi-aiz” any of its meager budget to fund some other things?

When these politicians die and they meet Mayor Tinying Borja in the heavenly highways; if Mayor Borja asks them”What have you done to the hospital named after me?” I hope their answers will not push them deeper into the quagmires of hell!

Table Talk
Jay Valleser
Gold Star Daily
January 6, 2009

Happy New Year!

It was not a very happy new year for me, though, because I had just said goodbye to something that I had learned to carry around in my mind and my heart. (And, believe it or not, caused me to lose 20 precious pounds!) It was [...]]]> Dear Doki-Rich,

Happy New Year!

It was not a very happy new year for me, though, because I had just said goodbye to something that I had learned to carry around in my mind and my heart. (And, believe it or not, caused me to lose 20 precious pounds!) It was difficult not to call up the Emergency Room to ask about all of you and how you all did after the new year. But certainly, life is like that.

At the outset, please allow me to say that I hold no grudges nor have I ever regretted the decision to take on the JRBGH leadership… even while my heart (which used to be majority “hospital mother”) is sad at the moment.

Thank you very much for the “Open Letter…” that you wrote. Can a heart enlarge non-physiologically, Doctor? My heart swelled with pride to know that there are among you who value my stay at the JRBGH. But, I had to caution myself… let the swelling stay in my chest… I did not want to be afflicted with emphysema of the brain… or symptoms to that effect.

But, even while I had decided to leave the JRBGH (where I was prepared to retire and die in… maybe not really “… die for…” as you said), I couldn’t help but try to point out a few things for you. It seems my leadership mode for the JRBGH hasn’t really been totally turned off.

Doki Rich, as soon as I arrived at the JRBGH a little over a year and 3 months ago, among other things, I made sure that we had a working Executive Committee (Execom) composed of the Division Heads and me. Please humor me by allowing me to explain why. Because I believed that everyone in the hospital needed to have a significant part in how we would run the hospital. We needed to allow every single person to be accountable not only to their immediate supervisors but to the hospital clientele, the people of Cagayan de Oro City: the main reason why we are. This meant that every week, the Execom met and discussed hospital concerns emanating from city hall, hospital management, personnel, patients and other stakeholders (DOH, media, the youth council, etc).

From these meetings, the Execom went to their Divisions to trickle down our thoughts and promote upstream run of issues. And once a month, we had a Hospital General Meeting to identify, air out and address concerns. (At this point, allow me to say thank you to everyone… those who supported what I tried to do: because they made my work easy and those who didn’t quite agree: because they kept me on my toes to try and be better.)

Why do I bring this up again? Because Doki-Rich, I want to point out that my leadership style called for the involvement of everyone and that such be properly implemented, too. I wanted to walk my talk. All of us needed to have a voice in how we run the hospital. All of us needed to know where we wanted to go. All of us needed to know our weaknesses. All of us needed to know our strengths. All of us needed to know our Vision and Mission: to be a tertiary hospital responsible for the health needs of Cagayan de Oro City. Thus, as your previous leader, I encourage you to continue to be responsible and accountable to yourself, the hospital and the people with regards what we are BEST in: the hospital care of Cagay-anons.

I do not intend for this to be a pitch for my return to the JRBGH. At this stage, I don’t think that’s best for our hospital. You were all witness to my experience there. My staying on will only mean that the JRBGH will not be able to get what it truly needs.

FOCUS instead on the Systems changes that can improve the services of the hospital: Fiscal autonomy or at least, retention of income and a revolving drug fund; Hiring of Resident doctors and augmentation of staff for expanded hospital operations; Review and modification of the procurement system; Training, training and more training for the staff (on clinical knowledge and values formation); and provision of appropriate benefits for personnel and staff. We need to open up our hospital to knowledge and technology that can markedly improve our services.

Doki Rich, our problem is not just money. It is a metanoia (is this the right word?) , on all levels. We need to take on our vision and mission. We need to live it and exert all our energies to “get there.” (as YOUR favorite President-elect aptly puts it. ) I hope we can “get there” without dealing with all these on a personal level.

While accolades and verbal or nonverbal support truly warms this ageing heart and adds to my treasure chest of fond memories to delve into during times of strife, I really should once more “lead” you away from this track. As I have said over and over again, no one is indispensable. Our systems should run; our services should be optimal whoever is at the helm.

Lastly, let me share with you this piece (attached file “national”) on why I think Nationalization of our Hospital is advantageous to all concerned. No one really asked for my opinion on this matter so please allow me to impose it on you. It is not a complete list, I am sure. It may not even be totally true as I did not consult with anybody on this. But, these are my personal ideas and if proven wrong, again, I shall humbly accept.

My warmest regards to you, Jovy and your beautiful family. Pa sobra pa diay: my personal and humble thanks to Jovy who selflessly turned over her hospital showcase. It shows what kind of hearts you have and where our hospital lies in your lives. And, while I have thanked you for this, let me say that one of the peaks of my stay at the JRBGH was having a website: ALL OUR VERY OWN! And this was because of you… May blessings upon blessings come upon you.

Yours truly,

DET

a. The DOH is the authority in health systems b. The DOH has the researches and projections on output that when put to use, will serve the best health interest of the populace of Cagayan de Oro City. c. [...]]]> ADVANTAGES:

1. Direction for this government health facility will be in line with the New Public Management System of the Health Sector.

a. The DOH is the authority in health systems
b. The DOH has the researches and projections on output that when put to use, will serve the best health interest of the populace of Cagayan de Oro City.
c. Rationalization of Health Resources based on Health Need for Cagayan de Oro City and Region X can be more fully studied and addressed.

2. The DOH has the budget for the Health Sector

a. A hospital under the DOH will have priority to its annual budget
b. The JRBGH need not compete with other services of the local government for its limited budget
c. The DOH has access to overseas funding agencies that regularly provides for the health sector and can direct some of these to the JRBGH
d. The LGU-run hospital will not need to constantly ask for a share in the national DOH budget for health; the JRBGH shall have a regular budget from DOH.
e. When properly managed with the appropriate directives, the JRBGH can further move towards sustainability with Corporatization and better fiscal management, thus providing for its own means to support advances and upgrading of facilities.

3. Continuing Education and training

a. DOH is the repository of brilliant minds in health: including training and education
b. DOH has regular training for its staff and personnel
c. Foreign-funded training coursed through the DOH will be available for the personnel of JRBGH
d. Services will be enhanced with training of the Administration, Nursing, Ancillary and Medical Staff of the Hospital

4. Hospital Services

a. All directives and orders of the DOH shall be implemented. These are guaranteed to provide optimum hospital health care for the patients.
b. Infrastructure completion can be factored into the short, medium and long-term plans of DOH for the JRBGH, hence completing the whole hospital as a Medical Center in probably 5-10 years.
c. Retention of Income can allow the hospital to continue to improve and add to its equipment complement to be able to provide the various basic and specialty hospital that is necessary in Cagayan de Oro.
d. A Revolving Drug Fund can be put into place immediately to correct the dearth of drugs and medicines. Emergency drugs shall then be always available for the hospital clientele.
e. Suppliers will not hesitate to negotiate with a re-nationalized hospital.

5. Personnel Benefits

a. DOH administrative orders shall provide the best milieu and work conditions for the staff of the JRBGH. Benefits shall be provided. The Magna Carta for Public Health Workers can be implemented.
b. National Qualification Standards and the Career Path for the Health Sector shall be implemented.

6. Others:

a. The hospital can continue to be named the J.R.Borja General Hospital and thus, hold on to the historical aspect of the hospital. It shall continue to be a City Hospital for Cagayan de Oro City but, more responsive to the City’s needs.
b. The JRBGH can be more involved in the Rationalization of Health Services for the City in particular and the whole region in general.
c. The JRBGH can be a more responsive Government Health Facility for Region X because an upgraded and properly managed hospital can provide the necessary tertiary health care while the Northern Mindanao Medical Center can be allowed to develop and provide Sub-specialty care. This will then mean that patients who need transplant surgery, advanced cardio-vascular and thoracic surgery, neuro-surgery and other services need not go to Cebu or Manila for such

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Ownership will not anymore rest with the local government of Cagayan de Oro City.
2. Hiring, Firing and management will be turned-over to the National Government.

(Attachment: Dr. Tagayuna’s letter)

What’s all the fuzz? Dr. Tagayuna has done more for the Hospital and it’s Personnel and Staff [...]]]> I am writing this to show my sentiments on the current issue that the Chief of Hospital of J.R. Borja General Hospital in the person of Dr. Dures Tagayuna received an order recalling her to the City Health Office.

What’s all the fuzz? Dr. Tagayuna has done more for the Hospital and it’s Personnel and Staff in the past 2 years she served as Chief of Hospital than any of her predecessors who served the same period. She was sweet-talked into running an almost dying institution probably not so much as to save it but more so in the hope of making her a political ally by the way things are going.

However, seeing that her being in her present office is not serving IT’S ORIGINAL PURPOSE but rather going in a different direction notwithstanding that direction is for the good of the institution and of it’s staff and clientele, she is being ordered to vacate her office in the pretense of being needed elsewhere for her leadership.

If the appointing office really believes in her capabilities as a leader, they will retain her in her present office and not put her at some imaginary station where she is supposed to be of better service. That reasoning may go unchallenged by the run of the mill folks whose loyalties can be easily bought by a handful of pesos but to expect the honest intelligent worker to believe that, is definitely an insult.

Dr. Tagayuna has her eye on the future of J.R. Borja General City Hospital. She hopes she can make a difference and leave a legacy for the succeeding generations of patients who will benefit from such changes. She is even willing to die for it but apparently others “entities” have set their sight on the hospital too and one can only wonder what they see.

What do they see? Do they see a leader who can bring the hospital to greater heights or do they see an obstacle to their own purposes? Do they see the health workers serving more than they are required to, under substandard condition, being exposed to communicable diseases with inadequate protection and no hazard fee? Or do they see sweatshops where they can cut down on benefits and save money for other projects? Do they see the father who is the breadwinner of the family laying sick in a worn out bed? Do they see the mother of 10 children taking care of a sick baby? Do they see a 10 year-old child wondering what he will do with the prescription in his hand because there is no medicine available in the hospital pharmacy? Or do they see that at least none of them are their fathers, neither their mothers, nor their sons nor their daughters? Do they see the sick who seek the comforts of the hospital or do they only see what the hospital can give back to the City?

Who took it upon themselves to be responsible for caring for the people? Do you? We at J.R. Borja General City Hospital do! That’s why we cannot just sit down and let anybody take away from us, a good leader who has given this hospital a direction. She boosted the staff’s morale that had been hanging low in the past several years and pulling her out means pulling everyone’s morale down.

If the goal is to make everyone subservient to the whims of a self-seeking power then the hope for change will be crushed. How long can one keep on banging his head against the wall if the wall does not give in? Until he finds another way to survive without banging his head on the wall.

I have worked in the hospital for almost three years now. With my training, I thought I could make a difference. On my own I found out I could not. It took the presence of a passionate leader to help realize some of those hopes. Suddenly, going to work is not so much of a burden anymore knowing what we are doing is not going to waste. While we still lack equipment to give the most basic of services, while we are still short on supplies, while some of our basic benefits are still not given to us, we can work thinking, all those problems are workable and someday the solutions will be found by the right person/s with the right attitude.

Health should be a priority that is not affected by biases, pride, and powerplay. Dr. Dures Tagayuna is the man for the job as Chief of the J.R. Borja General City Hospital. Remove her from the helm and the hospital will be like a ship without a Captain, driven wherever the wind fancies it to go. If you want to save the hospital put Dr. Tagayuna at the helm.

DR. RICHEL BACOT
Internal Medicine
Medical Officer IV
J.R. Borja General Hospital