“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

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

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

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

It is unavoidable, therefore, that during breaks between lectures and workshops we [...]]]> WE are on the last day of a three-day training we are conducting for personnel of the Department of health, Center for Health Development of Northern Mindanao. This is the 3rd batch of similar trainings the Valleser Communications Consultancy is doing for that agency.

It is unavoidable, therefore, that during breaks between lectures and workshops we indulge in some idle talks. At one point, I opened the topic on the possibility of having our beleaguered city hospital to be “cooperative-ized.” This after news that majority of doctors  un the said hospital have left and gone to other hospitals, set up private practice or have immigrated to other countries.

The lack of physicians has forced the city hospital to stop taking care of outpatients on weekends. Trying to put reason to this insane situation, the city officials through the hospital administration, is practically telling city residents not to get sick on weekends or else thsy could not be served – as if we have control as to when to get sick.

Well, it is normal for doctors to move around and seek greener pasture. The critical lack of physicians at the city hospital, however, is a phenomenon unique to itself. What keeps doctors away from the city hospital is not the low pay; neither is it the very demanding character of being in a public health system.

Ask those who have been there and they will tell you the real reason. They are tired and nauseated by the way dirty politics has seeped into what should have been an apolitical system. Doctors are forced to play politics by trying to reason out to patients why their services degenerated so much.

Even if doctors are gods and can cure even with just cotton and Q-tips, this would not be possible at city hospital. One of the doctors who have left the hospital told “Table talk” that he left because he wanted to keep the dignity of the medical profession.

having a cooperative hospital is not a novel idea. Other smaller and bigger cities in the country have done it. Our city officials should not be ashamed to accept their inability to run and manage a hospital. it’s time they should seriously think of turning it over to a cooperative.

It’s gutter politics that’s flushing our city hospital down the gutters!

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.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said the Philippine national pavilion will also feature musical performances and city planning with “Performing Cities as the theme.

“The Philippines is a famous for its therapy spa and a kind [...]]]> Hilot, a form of massage unique to the Philippines, will highlight the Philippines’ participation in the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said the Philippine national pavilion will also feature musical performances and city planning with “Performing Cities as the theme.

“The Philippines is a famous for its therapy spa and a kind of massage called hilot. Hilot, as one of the Filipino healing arts, is the oldest practice in the Philippines,” Durano said in a statement.

Citing its popularity during the Aichi Expo in Japan in 2005, Durano said that visitors to the Philippine Pavilion will be able to experience a brief massage at the pavilion.

Durano, in his capacity as Philippine Commisioner General to the World Expo 2010, signed the Philippine participation contract at the Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau last March 27.

Signing for the Chinese side was Prof. Zhou haimin, Deputy Director General of the Bureau Shanghai World Expo Coordination.

The Philippines confirmed a 2,000-square-meter pavilion in the Expo site. “The pavilion in Shanghai Expo is the biggest ever in the history of Philippine participation in global expos in terms of both size and budget,” said Durano.

He said the Philippine pavilion will present how the Filipino people integrate music and performances into urban planning and make them an essential part of the landscape.

One of themost unusual aspects of the pavilion is that it will have not only restaurants and cafes, but also spas and a massage center.

Phippine Consul General to Shanghai Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez said the Philippines among the Chinese people in the run up to 2010.

The Philippines has set aside June 9 as Philippines Pavilion Day, an annual celebration date for the friendship of China and the Philippines. PNA Gold Star Daily