“No patient shall be denied services” – Fernando

CITY OF MALOLOS- Governor Daniel R. Fernando cleared that both COVID and non-COVID cases will be accommodated in the province’s government hospitals during the implementation of the COVID-19 Surge Capacity Plan.

“Ito po ay pansamantalang pagpapatupad na ang layunin ay matugunan po ang pagdagsa ng COVID cases sa ating lalawigan habang sa kabilang dako naman po ay hindi naman natin mapapabayaan ang non-COVID cases katulad ng cancer, diabetes, dengue, at iba’t iba pa pong karamdaman na hindi konektado sa COVID,” the governor explained.

In his Facebook live last night, Fernando enlightened Bulakenyos that the Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) and the Bulacan Infection Control Center (BICC) will be the primary COVID referral facilities for moderate to critical COVID-19 suspects and positive patients, while the district hospitals will assist on non-COVID cases.

“Sa kasalukuyan po, kaya ng BICC ng 134 COVID patients. Sa ilalim ng temporary set-up, kaya nating mag-expand up to 200 hospital beds at 20 hanggang 30 ICU. Ang COVID ICU po ay kayang mag-admit ng hanggang 30 critical patients. Maglalagay din tayo ng 10 beds na para sa mga pasyenteng may Chronic Kidney Disease, dalawang dialysis machine po ang gagamitin para dito,” added the governor.

He further stated that the Calumpit District Hospital will be the temporary Maternity and Children’s Hospital for non-COVID OB and Pediatrics cases; Emilio G. Perez District Hospital in Hagonoy will be a medical and pediatrics hospital; Gregorio Del Pilar District Hospital in Bulakan will function as surgical hospital; and San Miguel District Hospital, Baliwag District Hospital and Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial District Hospital in Santa Maria will continue to be general hospitals that will serve non-COVID patients.

To address queries regarding emergency situations, the governor clarified that BMC still has the capacity to accommodate emergency cases and will transfer the patient when the patient’s condition stabilizes.

“Ang kondisyon ng pasyente at mga prosesong kanyang pagdadaanan ay dapat na ipaliwanag ng lubos sa pasyente o sa kanyang pamilya. Kung ang pasyente ay kailangang i-refer sa ibang ospital, ang BMC kung saan unang kumonsulta ang pasyente ang magco-coordinate sa receiving hospital to facilitate the transfer of patient. Ang pasyente ay hindi ililipat ng walang koordinasyon,” he said.

The governor said that through this new design, the province can respond to the overwhelming number of COVID and non-COVID cases and can save many lives.

“Sa ilang araw pa lamang po ng transition ay nakakita na tayo ng bahagyang improvement at umaasa po ako sa magandang magiging bunga nito na makatugon tayo sa mga COVID cases sa pamayananan,” Fernando said.

Before wrapping up, the provincial chief executive reiterated his call to be aware of misinformation and political grandstanding intended to steer the Bulakenyos away from the truth.

“Nagawa nating mapagtagumpayan ito noong nagdaang taon, hindi ipapahintulot ng Diyos na mabigo tayo ngayon. Sa gitna ng mga maling impormasyon at pagtuligsa sa ngalan ng pulitika, kayo po ang kalakasan ko. Kapag tayo ay nagbayanihan at nagdamayan, may Diyos tayo na nakakakita ng ating pighati at ito ay wawakasan niya at malulupig ang pandemya,” ended the governor. ###