Bacolod EOC ensures safe quarantine facilities for Covid patients

THE Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center-Task Force (EOC-TF) is ensuring that all quarantine facilities in the city are safe for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients.

This was stressed Tuesday, January 25, by EOC-TF Executive Director Em Ang after one of the Covid-19 patients confined at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) fell to his death from the fifth floor of the hospital building on Monday afternoon, January 24.

Ang said the city has already reopened four public schools as quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients.

She said policemen and healthcare workers were assigned to various quarantine facilities to ensure the safety of Covid patients there.

"Maybe, it was only a coincidence that the victim who was suffering from a health problem also tested positive for Covid-19, but we cannot conclude his main reason for doing such a thing," she added.

Last year, Ang noted, another mentally unstable Covid patient also tried to escape from the quarantine facility in the city.

The EOC-TF also assigned nurses to various quarantine facilities, as well as some personnel from the Public Order and Safety Office (Poso) to ensure the safety of Covid-19 patients.

"One of the instructions of Mayor Evelio Leonardia is to intensify the security measures inside the quarantine facilities," Ang said.

Meanwhile, CLMMRH Chief of Hospital Dr. Julius Drilon, in a statement, said the remains of the Covid-19 patient are currently at the hospital morgue.

The hospital management is closely coordinating with the family and Police Station 2 for the release of the cadaver.

The situation is saddening especially during this time of pandemic, Drilon said, adding that CLMMRH is asking the public to "pray for the patients and healthcare workers to overcome not only physical but mental and emotional exhaustion brought by the pandemic."

He said the 68-year-old male patient who jumped from the building was admitted on January 21.

No one was able to see how the patient jumped since his room was at the back portion of their West Tower Building, the hospital chief added.

There has been a stern warning from authorities that depression, if not properly managed, may lead to suicide.

The Department of Health, for its part, has recognized the real threats brought by the pandemic to the mental health of the Filipinos.

In fact, it has issued some tips in order to maintain good mental health amid this global crisis.

These include staying positive and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

People are also advised to give time for themselves to reflect, meditate and go back to the skills and resources which had previously helped them lessen their stress.

The health agency said if there is a need to talk to mental health professionals, the National Center for Mental Health and Mind Matters Hotlines can be reached through their hotlines 09178998727 and 09189424864, respectively.

For Negrense Psychologist Mark Ortibano, seeking help from a mental health professional should not be ashamed of.

Aside from the medicines and psychotherapy provided by psychiatrists and psychologists, the emotional and social support from the family are essential to help people suffering from depression.

"Connect. Those people you haven't checked for a while, check them. Talk to your trusted friends. Your family, your mother. If they are not around, those that you can trust," the psychologist told SunStar Bacolod.