This was discovered by City Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula himself when he conducted an ocular inspection on Feb. 15 to assess the status of [...]]]> Cagayan de Oro City (17 February) — The lack of sufficient water supply hounds the completion of the controversial J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital Annex Building Project in Cagayan de Oro City.

This was discovered by City Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula himself when he conducted an ocular inspection on Feb. 15 to assess the status of the on-going construction of the four-storey, 400-bed capacity City Hospital Building Project.

“How can a hospital operate without water?” a visibly irked Mayor Jaraula told City Hospital Administrator Nena Salon, Acting City Administrator Griscelda Joson, City Engineer Jorie Bingona and other top City Hospital officials who accompanied the Mayor during the on-site project inspection.

After touring the hospital facility, the City Mayor blew his top upon learning from project manager Engr. Francisco Alover on the problem on basic supply of water of the hospital building.

To address the problem, Mayor Jaraula recommended to the project manager the installation of a water tank atop the building in order to ensure steady supply of water, once it operates.

“Roofing on the fourth floor and stairways must also be prioritized because this has caused flooding problem in the past that affect the lower levels of the building,” the City Mayor added.

On a positive note, however, Salon gave an update to Mayor Jaraula on the current status of the project, saying that at least 100 out of the 400 beds available on the second and third floors are basically ‘ready for occupancy’.

The hospital’s Operating Room (OR) and Delivery Room (DR) is located on the ground floor.

It can be recalled that Mayor Jaraula strongly lobbied for the release of the P62 million subsidy from the national government through the Department of Health (DOH) as part of the pledge committed by President Arroyo in August 2007.

Of the amount, 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 upgrading and expansion of the 22 barangay health centers all over Cagayan de Oro City. (City Information Office)

“The project is actually part of PCSO’s gift to the public for its 75th year of existence, thus, it has offered [...]]]> Cagayan de Oro City (4 September) — An estimated 125,000 beneficiaries in region 10 are expected to be served by the “100% Barangays-in-One” Project of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Sunday, September 6.

“The project is actually part of PCSO’s gift to the public for its 75th year of existence, thus, it has offered to conduct a nationwide medical, dental and feeding mission to all the country’s 42,000 barangays, simultaneously, in one day,” said Mario S. Pelisco, Chief Lottery Officer of PCSO, Misamis Oriental.

In the case of region 10, all its 433 city and 1,590 municipal barangays or a total of 2,023 barangays from its five (5) provinces and eight (8) cities are expected to be served by about 172 medical doctors, 210 nurses, 21 pharmacists and 15 dentists.

These medical practitioners who have volunteered to take part of the project are expected to serve at least 121,400 medical, 2,100 dental and another 1,500 feeding patients.

Pelisco also said 21 co-referral hospitals (CRH) have been positioned in 23 cluster centers of the region where there are government hospitals to serve the laboratory examinations and diagnostic procedures needed by indigent patients.

Meanwhile, he said, a total of 500 boxes of medicines have already been sent to the following CRH’s, as of August 24, 2009, to make sure that the medical / dental / feeding mission can start at 8:00 in the morning on September 6:

Bukidnon – Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon Provincial Medical Hospital in Malaybalay City and Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag.

Camiguin – Catarman District Hospital in Catarman and Camiguin General Hospital in Mambajao.

Lanao del Norte – Kolambugan Provincial Hospital in Kolambugan, Lanao Norte Provincial Hospital in Baroy, Kapatagan Provincial Hospital in Kapatagan and G.T. Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City.

Misamis Occidental – Calamba District Hospital in Calamba, Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital in Oroquieta City, MHARS Regional Teaching & Training Hospital and S.M. Lao Memorial City General Hospital in Ozamiz City and Doña Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital in Tangub City.

Misamis Oriental – J.R. Borja General Hospital and Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog General Hospital in Gingoog City, Talisayan District Hospital in Talisayan, Medicare Community Hospital in Balingasag and in Manticao, as well as Initao District Hospital in Initao. (PIA 10)

When this happens, patients with common ailments could go to the city hall-owned JR Borja Memorial City Hospital or private hospitals.

In a news conference, NMMC chief of hospital Jose Chan said the government hospital would [...]]]> The Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) would soon be turned a state-owned hospital that would specialize in specific ailments, officials said.

When this happens, patients with common ailments could go to the city hall-owned JR Borja Memorial City Hospital or private hospitals.

In a news conference, NMMC chief of hospital Jose Chan said the government hospital would focus on cardiology and renal cases in the future.

The NMMC is a beneficiary of The Netherlands’ grant amounting to P130 million. The fund would be used to buy a cardiac catheterization unit.

Cardiac catheterization is a groundbreaking procedure involving the insertion of a catheter into the heart via the neck. It is mainly used to detect complex heart ailments.

Once realized, the NMMC cardiac catheterization unit would be the first of its kind outside Metro Manila, said Chan.

Chan said P110 million of the budget would be used to purchase the equipment while the remainder would be for the construction of a room for the equipment.

Chan said he is confident that doctors at NMMC are prepared for the cardiac catheterization unit.
“We train specialists, doctors in general practice and nurses here,” Chan said.

Meanwhile, a renal transplant unit would also be set up at NMMC in 2010.

With NMMC now becoming a specialty hospital, Chan said that patients experiencing common ailments such as coughs and colds would most likely be accomodated only at JR Borja Memorial City Hospital.

“They (local government) must comply with all DOH requirements,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque during a news conference on Friday.

He said this when he was told by a radio reporter that the [...]]]> CITY hall has to comply with the requirements of the health department if the J. R. Borja Memorial Hospital is to remain a hospital.

“They (local government) must comply with all DOH requirements,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque during a news conference on Friday.

He said this when he was told by a radio reporter that the city hall-run hospital was in sorry state.

Caught by surprise, Dr. Jaime Bernadas, DOH director for northern Mindanao, quickly said city hall has already released millions of pesos to improve the local government-owned hospital.

Earlier, city hall shifted its focus on the JR Borja hospital after Reps. Rufus Rodriguez and Rolando Uy filed a bill that seeks to transfer the hospital’s management from the city government to the Department of Health through the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC). Mayor Constantino Jaraula strongly oppposed the bill.

Duque had this to say about Jaraula’s position: “We respect the position of the local chief executive because (the city hospital) is under the local government’s autonomy.”

Concerns about the city hospital’s state and the resignation of its doctors prompted city hall to announce that some P91 million has been set aside for the medical institution this year. City hall also announced an additional budget P5 million for more medicines. Mark Francisco

Dr. Ignacio Moreno, PHO chief, confirmed this on Sunday during the inauguration and turn-over ceremony of the P20-million Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital-Balingasag.

The doctors were Dr. Juanita Notarte, [...]]]> AT LEAST four doctors from the J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital (JRBMCH) transferred to two municipal hospitals in Misamis Oriental, top official from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said.

Dr. Ignacio Moreno, PHO chief, confirmed this on Sunday during the inauguration and turn-over ceremony of the P20-million Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital-Balingasag.

The doctors were Dr. Juanita Notarte, former internal medicine head of J.R. Borja General Hospital (JRBMCH); Dr. Dina Factura, Dr. Tim Ibana, and one Dr. Adejado.

It was learned that Dr. Ann Perez, who is now the acting chief of hospital of Claveria District Hospital, was also from JRBMCH.

“Pero dugay na si Dr. Perez sa Claveria. Ang bag-o lang nadawat dire sa Balingasag mao sila si Dr. Notarte, Dr. Factura, Dr. Ibana and Dr. Adejado, pero dugay na gyud sila nag-apply,” Moreno told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Moreno, however, declined to give any more comment on the doctors’ reason to work at Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital-Balingasag.

Mayor Constantino Jaraula had said the resignations of some 18 physicians recently can’t be blamed in the supposed low pay and poor working conditions at the secondary-grade hospital.

Jaraula said it was normal for practicing physicians to gain “experience” at government-run hospitals as a stepping stone for “promotion” or employment in municipal health care facilities.

Several of the doctors who spoke to Sun.Star on condition of anonymity said they left J.R. Borja General Hospital because of low pay, delayed salaries and poor working conditions. Some said the inadequate facilities at the hospital had impeded them from performing their jobs properly.

Cagayan de Oro second district Representative Rufus Rodriguez had called the resignations “principled.”

“The doctors were resigning not for greener pastures but as a protest, knowing that their services cannot be properly maximized because the hospital has no decent facility,” Rodriguez said.

“I believe our doctors had really wanted to serve the people; they were willing to render their services. I don’t believe it when they say that those who resigned are a bunch of selfish people who are demanding perks and such,” Rodriguez added. (Annabelle L. Ricalde)

Dear Mr. Valleser,

I have been an employee at the JR Borja Memorial City Hospital for the past  nine years. Many of my co-employees would like to take exemption from your insinuations that our city hospital is not doing the services it is intended to do. Since the first day of [...]]]> HERE’S another one from the Inbox.

Dear Mr. Valleser,

I have been an employee at the JR Borja Memorial City Hospital for the past  nine years. Many of my co-employees would like to take exemption from your insinuations that our city hospital is not doing the services it is intended to do. Since the first day of my employment, I have been told that this is a hospital for the poor in line with the vision of Mayor Vicente Emano.

We have innovations as a response to the need of hospital care for our people. But maybe you do not know because I am sure you would go to a better hospital when sick. In fact, the city hospital is serving patients not only from the city but also from other municipalities.

You mentioned in your colum  something that can be done to improve our services like closing down the out patient department. It is a good idea but you are already late. Mayor Emano has already done that. And also, we do not welcome the idea of a ‘‘cooperative hospital’’ as this will interrupt our years of service. We would also lose our pay.

Please be informed that we are happy with the hospital as it is.
A Concerned  Employee

Dear Concerned Employee,

If you are really convinced on the vision of Mayor Dongkoy Emano on the hospital and that you are really concerned about the poor patients that you serve, the best way you can help the poor patients is to tell them to check out immediately and be confined elsewhere.

You have enough years with the city hospital. I guess it was Mayor Dongkoy who appointed you. You are indeed a grateful employee to the point that you still call him ‘‘mayor’’ and not vice mayor; he is inutile as a vice mayor, and he is the highest paid 15/30 local official in the whole country today. But this is another issue, an issue of competence of an elective office to his position.

Yes, you’re correct that an order was already issued by ‘‘Mayor’’ Emano to close the out-patient department, limit  regular checkups and normal births to the health centers. Are you really convinced this is being done?  Intention without the execution is ‘‘all sound and fury signifying nothing. Zero, nada, zilch!

I heard a news report from the radio supposedly about Councilor Dante Pajo saying that everybody is welcome to apply for work at the city hospital. How I wish the story was ‘‘everybody is welcome to be confined at the city hospital with its modern facilities and dedicated staff.’’

This brings two questions to mind: A)  Did Councilor Pajo say that because there is no other good point of being employed at the city hospital except the pay? B) Are there more resignations from doctors and nurses that he is now calling for new applicants?

But I guess the letter of our  ‘‘Concerned Employee’’ gives us the answer to the first question––anything can happen to the city hospital as long as the employees’ security of tenure and pay is protected. What a wonderful vision and working values our city officials are imparting to the city employees, indeed! Table Talk By JAY VALLESER Updated July 7, 2009

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)

Jaraula also called ‘‘ignorant’’ those who have criticized city hall over the way it has been running the JR Borja [...]]]> MAYOR Constantino Jaraula on Tuesday vowed to fight so city hall could keep the JR Borja Memorial Hospital even as he called ‘‘malicious’’ moves to place the institution under the state-run Northern Min-danao Medical Center (NMMC).

Jaraula also called ‘‘ignorant’’ those who have criticized city hall over the way it has been running the JR Borja hospital in Carmen.

“No one should take the JR Borja hospital from Cagayan de Oro, and it will remain as the ‘city hospital,’” said Jaraula in response to reports that a congressman, obviously Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, has continued to work in making the local government-run institution under the Department of Health (DOH) through the NMMC. The mayor did not mention Rodriguez’s name.

“Kini taliwala sa uban nga ilang kawaton o kumpiskahon,’’ said Ja-raula, adding that the city hospital could received national government funds even if it is run by the local government.

Jaraula reacted to a criticism in connection with city hall’s P97-million supplemental budget.

Of this additional budget, only P6,300 was set aside for the city hospital, prompting Rodriguez to call it ‘‘scandalous.’’ Rodriguez also criticized city hall’s alleged lack of concern for the poor who need medical attention.

Jaraula said the supplemental budget was just an addition to the basic budget for the city hospital’s operations and supplies this year.

Without the P6,300-supplemental budget, the budget for the hospital includes personal services, P50.647 million; maintenance and other operating expenses, P32.900 million; drugs and medicines, P27.800 million; and other expenses, P5 million.

“This makes almost P100 million for the city hospital alone. We have a supplemental budget because we generated additional income not included in the annual budget. Is this scandalous? That can only come from ignorance on local governance,” said Jaraula. By LITO RULONA – Correspondent Gold Star Daily News