BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Despite the damage incurred by provincial government-managed hospitals as a result of devastation caused by typhoon Odette, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz yesterday said that they are still operational and continue to extend medical services to those who need it.
Diaz admitted that the Valeriano Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan City is presently experiencing low voltage of power supply from NOCECO (Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative) that caused a lot of damage to medical equipment.
To avoid further damage, he advised the hospital management to utilize the generator set in order to stabilize the power supply.
While the Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City have already been thoroughly cleaned, the stench left behind by the flood waters remain, which also prompted the management to enlist the help of the Bureau of Fire and Protection to help remove the foul odor from its premises, Diaz said.
He also reported that the Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital in Sipalay City suffered major structural damage which is now being assessed by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for insurance purposes.
Diaz also said that the Eleuterio T. Decena Memorial Hospital in Hinoba-an, Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, as well as Valladolid District Hospital also suffered damage, although it was not bad compared to the Sipalay City hospital.
But there was no report of damage at Cadiz District Hospital, Vicente Gustilo Memorial District Hospital in Escalante City, he added.
On the other hand, Diaz also ordered the Provincial Engineer’s Office to check on the structural damage of the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City.*
