PATIENTS with non-Covid 19-related illnesses do not have to worry when they go to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), even as this is the referral hospital for Covid-19 cases.
Dr. Lenny Joy Rivera, assistant regional director of the Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-Davao), assured patients who are suffering from non-Covid-related ailments such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes that SPMC is strictly following infectious control measures.
"Kasi ang setup naman nang SPMC it's not one building lang, marami naman silang mga building specialized facilities na nagke-cater ng non-Covid cases," Rivera said during the One Davao on Covid-19 virtual presser recently.
This is in response to Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force on Covid-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. in his report to President Rodrigo Duterte during the Talk to the People of President Rodrigo Duterte on Covid-19 on September 14.
Galvez, in his report, said: "‘yung mga pasyente natatakot, ay talagang napakahirap po na pumunta sa ospital."
Rivera added this is also what makes the Davao Region ideal for non-Covid-related patients because it identified hospitals for Covid-19 cases, which means the people can opt to seek medical attention in other healthcare facilities if they are afraid to go to SPMC.
Galvez also lauded this initiative of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
"Maganda po ang ginawa po sa Davao nung si Mayor Sara nagkaroon po siya ng desisyon na iba po ‘yung Covid cases at saka ‘yung sa non-Covid. So ‘yung sa Southern Philippines Medical Center na 1,500 bed po ‘yon," he said.
He also proposed to the president to build hospitals such as the SPMC in the country's main island.
"Mahal na Pangulo, maganda po makapagpagawa po tayo ng ganoong klase na mga ospital sa iba-ibang mga main island po kasi nakikita po natin kumpleto po ‘yon, mayroon pong Kidney Institute, mayroong Cancer Institute," he said.
Rivera said the DOH-Davao is focusing not only on the curative side but as well as the preventive side of the health system.
"Kasi importante po yung preventive side, kaya po ngayon the DCHD (Davao Center for Health Development) together with the PHOs (Provincial Health Offices) and the CHOs (City Health Offices) ginagawan na po namin ng paraan na as much as possible active na po yung mga health programs natin sa mga district health centers natin, mga RHUs (Rural Health Units) so andon na yung mga health services," she said.
Rivera added they are now monitoring to ensure that the essential health care is being provided to the people, aside from just managing the Covid-19. She further said they are communicating with the private hospitals since most of them are not catering to Covid-19 cases but only to non-Covid cases.