TEBOW Cure Hospital will be housing health workers from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) during the duration of coronavirus disease outbreak in the region.
"As we have cancelled our normal elective procedures and our clinics, we have many free beds available. Therefore, we agreed with SPMC to temporarily house some SPMC employees on our second floor ward. We have signed a memorandum of agreement to ensure they care for and look after our facility appropriately," Michael Hulland, executive director of Tebow Cure Hospital, said in a statement.
The hospital will be providing this housing free of charge to SPMC and their assigned staff.
"We have made available 23 beds in 6 shared rooms. So far, 15 doctors have been assigned places with us and arrived as of March 30, 2020," he said.
Hulland said when they initiated discussions with SPMC on how they can help them, they initially expected to take some non-Covid-19 orthopedic and plastics patients to help relieve space in the wards and emergency room of the hospital.
But he said the SPMC management informed them that it urgently needs accommodation for many of the staff who, for various reasons, could not return home.
"Due to public transport restrictions, it can be hard to commute across the city. Many healthcare workers also fear going home to their families in case they unintentionally carry the virus home to their families. Unfortunately, some landlords have also evicted SPMC staff from their lodgings due to fears about coronavirus disease," Hulland said.
He said this is their way of showing solidarity with their colleagues in the medical community who are "working under stressful and difficult situations to help save lives."
"We can demonstrate our support, respect and encouragement to them by volunteering some of our space for their rest and recuperation. We may also be given opportunities to minister to, to counsel and pray with them during what is a difficult time for those serving on the frontline," Hulland said.
He added that the hospital's Spiritual Ministry team is "excited about the creative ways they can interact and provide support to these staff, one of which is to supply Bibles on their bedside and uplifting booklets to read during this time of crisis."
"We can be a back-up and encouragement for those of the front lines of the Covid-19 response in Davao," Hulland said.
Tebow Cure Hospital, Christian institution, is a hospital in Lanang, Davao City that specializes orthopedics and plastics. While it is not "suited to be on the front lines in this pandemic at present," Hulland said they can continue to serve and support the community through these actions.
"We greatly value the safety of our staff and so we will continue with our enhanced safety measures. We have set up separate entrances and isolated the second floor to minimize infection risks. We will continue with our enhanced screening processes at both entrances," he said.
Hulland said, "Like the good Samaritan when we see suffering we are called to respond with mercy and I am excited that even in this challenging and fast-changing environment we have an opportunity to continue to minister and show the heart of Jesus."