BMC medical director confirms OB ward lockdown due to COVID-19, says protocols are being followed
CITY OF MALOLOS- “There is no need to panic, we are doing the protocol” says Dr. Hjordis Marushka B. Celis, Bulacan Medical Center Medical Director, after confirming in an interview earlier today that 20 patients and watchers in the OB ward acquired COVID-19 and that it is currently on lockdown. Dr. Celis detailed that pregnant and high risk patients’ swab testing is a routine to control the spread of COVID-19, and unfortunately on September 11, four patients tested positive.
“Immediately nag-stop na ang admission noon, ni-lockdown na ang OB at NICU, we observed 352 individuals. Ito ay mga pasyente, babies, kasama ang mga bantay at pina-swab then inilipat ang iba sa BICC, ‘yung iba dinala sa mga treatment facility ng kani-kanilang LGUs. Lahat ng nag-negative, nai-coordinate na rin sa mga LGU para iku-quarantine, pwdeng sa facility o sa bahay, ang mahalaga, monitored” the director said.
She also explained that because of congestion, there is a high probability to pass on the infection.
“The ideal capacity of the OB including the gyne, and isolation is 82 only, but we have 180 mothers there, imagine 3-4 patients sharing in one bed. Kasi kahit sabihin naming sa kanila na puno a at sa iba na lang magpunta, ayaw nila, ngayon ganito, ‘pag highly suspect, isolated agad, ‘pag walang symptoms, nakakapasok sa regular ward pero dahil required, ite-test kaya lang ‘di naman agad lalabas ang result, kaya pwede talagang makahawa” Celis shared.
The director added that as of today, there are still 63 remaining patients, watchers and babies who are waiting for their LGUs to fetch them.
“Hopefully, in 2-3 days masundo na silang lahat para makapagsimula na kaming mag-disinfect and after noon, makapagbukas na ulet at makapagserbisyo sa mga Bulakenyo” Celis said after clarifying that the BMS perse is open.
Moreover, Celis answered the allegations of some netizens that they are altering the results to positive just to get claims from the controversial Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation.
“Never ginawa ito. At tinitingnan namin ay ang pangangailangan talaga ng pasyente. Sobra naman ‘yung alegasyon, sa dami naming trabaho para lang sa Philhealth gagawin ‘yan? Alam mo ang pasyente hindi nauubos, usually nandito pa ang mga high risk, pero ang mga healthcare worker, doctor, consultants ‘pag may exposure, quarantined din, nauubos, kinakapos tayo sa magdu-duty, tapos ‘yun pa ang iisipin namin, walang katotohanan” Celis emphasized.
She also added that the BMC is open for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing and they may call the Bulacan Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory for collection appointment through Tel. No. 044-7910630 local 139 or cellphone number 0912-1232432 or email them at bmcmolecularlab@yahoo.com; or visit their Facebook BMC-Bulacan Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory.
Fees for patients with PhilHealth is P3,800 and P4,800 for non-PhilHealth member patients. Meanwhile, Gov. Daniel R. Fernando reiterated the importance of following health protocols.
Ito po ay parang tulong na natin sa isa’t isa. Sa panahong ito, iwasan na muna natin ang pakikipag-socialize, kapag napababa natin ang mga kaso sa atin, na-control, unti-unti makakabangon tayo. Lalo ngayon tag-ulan na, maglalabasan na ang iba pang sakit na sa simula parang COVID-19, kailangan talaga sagad ang pag-iingat. Hindi naman ito kayang solusyunan ng mag-isa, kailangan tulung-tulong, otherwise masasayang lahat lahat ng efforts ng gobyerno, ng mga frontliner” Fernando stressed.
As of September 21, 2020, there are 4,389 confirmed cases, 2,618 recoveries and 90 deaths. ###