HEALTH care workers of the psychiatric department of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) have adopted improvised measures against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in its out-patient department (OPD).
Renato Obra, head of the VSMMC Center for Behavioral Sciences (VSMMC-CBS), said they have agreed to shell out funds from their own pockets for the installation of a fiber glass partition as a way to counter the spread of the Covid-19.
“If you can see our OPD now, what we did was we each contributed cash for the installation of a glass partition. We took the initiative since it might take awhile before the budget is released. We set up a screen between the doctor and the consulting patient,” he said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
The psychiatric department currently has 18 resident nurses, 10 doctors and around 100 patients.
As a precautionary measure, persons entering the department are required to wear protective masks and subject themselves to a temperature check.
Frances Mae Gumapon, medical officer III of the VSMMC-CBS, said they have patients who are under close monitoring.
These are patients who might have been exposed to the virus outside and may develop flu-like symptoms such as cough and colds.
“We cannot tell what kind of patients will arrive in our emergency room. There’s a high possibility that the patient that will arrive has symptoms of fever, cough and other symptoms of Covid-19,” Gumapon said.
Gumapon said the VSSMC-CBS has yet to acquire personal protective equipment, which they will need in case of an emergency. (WBS)