CEBU CITY — Patients at Cebu’s public hospitals might experience reduced waiting times for medications and care, as the Provincial Government prepares to disburse ₱80 million aimed at addressing critical gaps in both medical supplies and staffing levels.
Provincial Administrator Joseph "Ace" Durano stated that Governor Pamela "Pam" Baricuatro has approved a memo allowing for the prompt release of PHP 5 million apiece to twelve district hospitals and four provincial medical facilities managed by the Provincial Capitol.
The complete ₱80 million budget, expected to be released possibly by next week, will go toward purchasing vital medications and medical supplies as part of the incoming government's immediate actions aimed at alleviating pressures on the healthcare sector right now.
He stated that the Capitol stands prepared to disburse more funds should the original budget fall short for the rest of the five-month period this year.
Durano declined to address the reason behind the prior administration led by ex-Governor Gwendolyn Garcia not releasing the funds, stating that the present leadership chooses to concentrate on progress instead.
During a gathering held at the Capitol on Wednesday, which included discussions between lawmakers and health department representatives alongside medical facility managers, various mid-to-long-range improvements were proposed.
Durano mentioned that in the coming months, the government intends to enhance public healthcare services by transforming smaller Level 1 hospitals into more advanced Level 2 centers.
It will likewise transform clinics—which now provide only fundamental care—into complete Level 1 hospitals capable of managing emergency cases, routine medical exams, maternity care, pediatric services, small surgical procedures, and essential laboratory testing.
Over time, the Capitol intends to upgrade certain Level 2 hospitals into top-tier facilities, spreading out access to specialized medical services that are now mainly available only at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
Durano stated that this measure would lessen the necessity for patients to go all the way to the city center.
He added that the Department of Health in Central Visayas recommended for the province to complete unfilled plantilla slots to satisfy the standards for Level 1 hospital accreditation, a suggestion currently under evaluation by the Provincial Government.
Elisse Nicole Catalan, Baricuatro's daughter and a public health consultant, stated that during their courtesy visit, both provincial and district hospital administrators expressed receptiveness but consistently brought up issues regarding shortages of medical supplies and personnel.
Catalan mentioned that the Department of Health will provide hospital-specific evaluation reports within three weeks, which will assist the Capitol in developing comprehensive plans.
Catalan expressed confidence that the public would start seeing enhancements in hospital services within a few weeks.
Nelner Omus, the Acting Head of DOH-7’s Local Health Support Division, commended the new administration for being receptive to suggestions and affirmed the department’s dedication to assisting the Provincial Government with both technical guidance and infrastructure development.
"The province is now highly receptive to ideas... perhaps, through teamwork from everyone involved, we can truly deliver what our people deserve," she stated.
Baricuatro held talks with DOH Regional Office staff and key players from the healthcare industry to address pressing issues affecting government hospitals in Cebu.