DAVAO ORIENTAL—In the continuous effort of putting high premium to patients’ healthcare, additional rooms in Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) are set for soft opening on March of this year.

During the Kapihan Sang Kapitolyo held last week at the Capitol’s Grand Conference Room, DOPMC Chief of Hospital Dr. Reden Bersaldo said that included in the upcoming soft opening are 2 suite rooms, 4 private rooms, and 19 semi-private rooms.

“Hopefully, by March 28, we can pursue with the soft opening of private rooms. These are all airconditioned rooms. But we will formally launch all of these rooms this coming April. We just have to see first how things will go when it comes to that,” Dr. Bersaldo said.

Upgrading Amenities, Medicine

Aside from additional rooms, the DOMPC has one additional X-ray machine from the Department of Health (DOH) through the effort of Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and the two district representatives.

“So, all in all we have 2 ultrasound machines. One is for general use while the other one is used at the Ob-Gyne Department for high-risk pregnancies,” Dr. Bersaldo said.

Dr. Bersaldo also revealed that they are planning to setup Intensive Care Unit (ICU) that is compliant to DOH standard to cater to the needs of patients that require special medical attention. “We are looking towards having a plan of an ICU this year because there’s a newly-constructed spacious building at the back of the hospital.”

He said that they are also planning to transfer the kitchen in the new building so that the food for Muslim and Non-Muslim will be separately prepared.

In terms of medicines, he said the hospital has complete supply except for those prescribed by doctors that are not included in the Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF).

“When I first came in DOPMC, the hospital lacks supplies and medicines. But now, the hospital already has adequate supplies of medicine and facility.  Although there are few medicines not available which are not included in the PNDF, the province provides financial assistance for the indigent patients so they can buy it in the drugstores outside the hospital,” he said.

“They can go directly to the assistance desk at the hospital also known as Window 6 to ask for medical assistance program under Governor Dayanghirang. First District Representative Corazon Malanyaon has also assigned her staff there as well as the City Government, and of course, the Social Workers to help them pay their excess bills,” he added.

In addition, Dr. Bersaldo reveals that Malasakit center eyed to be established within the DOPMC will be completed within the current year. Initiated by Office of the President, in partnership with Governor Dayanghirang and line agencies, Malasakit center is a one-stop shop wherein all medical assistance are set up in one place.

“We are already at the planning stage, there is already an identified area where it will be set up so we are only awaiting its implementation within this year,” he said.

Free Services

The center’s free Cataract extraction, which has just started September of last year, has already been successfully performed to a total of 62 patients.

“Our Ophthalmology service offers free eye checkup, free operation, free and medicines. So, all the patient has to do is to come and undergo checkup which is scheduled every Thursday, and then he will be ready for surgery the following Thursday,” Dr. Bersaldo explained.

Boosting Public Health Services

Despite the DOPMC’s inadequate manpower, Dr. Bersaldo said that the hospital staff do their best to give utmost care to the patients. He said they take into consideration the complaints, stressing that it will provide room for improvement for the staff. However, he appeals to the public to voice their concerns to the hospital personnel instead of taking it to social media. He added that suggestion boxes are also available at the medical center.

“Their complaints might be true, or they only lack the knowledge on how things go. We do not take that for granted, we conduct investigation regarding their complaints. Press Relations Officer who happens to be Rizza Jean Rivera, is there to settle their grievances. However, due to unequal proportion of nurses to patients, we ask for public’s understanding. It’s a two-way partnership, that is why we strictly discourage cyber bullying and social media shaming,” he said.

To likewise protect the confidentiality of patients, Dr. Bersaldo said that they now prohibit video and photo documentation inside the hospital premises.

“In accordance to Data Privacy Act, we are prohibiting anyone to take photos and videos especially to health workers. We have to protect the patient’s confidentiality who might be included in the photo or video.”

Rivera said that they have educated their staff on the said policy.

“In fact, we already put up tarpaulin, Information, Education, Communication campaign materials to refrain from taking pictures. That is also the reason why we don’t always accommodate media personalities. Aside of course if there is prior permission from the Hospital Chief,” she said. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan