THE Riverside Medical Center Inc. (RMCI) in Bacolod City converted its entire fifth floor into an area dedicated for suspected, probable, and confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia stressed this after Genesis Goldi Golingan, president and chief executive officer of RMCI, informed him that effective May 7, the Riverside Medical Center, in its "continuing support of the Department of Health and the Local Government of Bacolod City in the fight against Covid-19," converted its entire fifth floor to an area dedicated for suspected, probable, and confirmed Covid-19 patients.
In their letter addressed to Leonardia dated May 5, Golingan and medical director Dr. Ma. Antonia Gensoli said the hospital has increased the number of its isolation rooms' bed capacity from three to 12, and its bed capacity for Covid patients to 41. This makes their total bed capacity dedicated to Covid-19 patients to 53.
They said they have effectively delineated areas within the hospital that are safe for their regular non-Covid clients. The RMCI has made provisions to keep its clients, as well as its personnel, safe from the threat of Covid amid the pandemic.
"Because of this, we have reopened our Medical Arts Building (MAB) and begun normalization of our hospital operations," they added.
In his letter addressed to Golingan dated May 8, 2020, Leonardia called the hospital's decision as most heartwarming news and like a ray of light coming from behind the dark clouds.
"Indeed, when members of the private sector, like you, step up to share the burden of protecting and caring for our people against this deadly disease, we can only say, 'Praise the Lord for He is good,' because He has answered, through you, the prayers of many in our City Government and our people," Leonardia said.
He added that this is indeed most heartwarming news and a relief to the community that a hospital they trust has taken this step to ensure that professional care will be provided for those who may be stricken with this dangerous infection.