NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro, February 6 (PIA) - - The magnitude 6.0 earthquake damaged facilities of two public hospitals in Davao de Oro, and more than 100 patients were transferred to other hospitals or temporary holding areas.
In a report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the Payward building of the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital Montevista (DDOPH Montevista), which houses the Surgery and Pedia Services, showed excessive movement resulting to cracking of walls and column plasters; while its Dietary Building sustained major damages.
Several cracks were also seen in the walls of DDOPH Pantukan, the report said.
During the virtual press conference, Dr. Ferdinand Anthony Soberano, chief of hospital of the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital – Montevista, bared that around 600 people were evacuated from the hospital during the earthquake, including patients, watchers, and hospital staff.
Dr. Soberano said that 90 patients were temporarily placed at the Montevista Sports Complex, 19 were referred to Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City and DDOPH Pantukan, 44 were discharged, 56 patients had gone home against medical advice, and five patients absconded.
“At that night na evaluate ‘yong front and middle building na ok siya; we utilize the first building to accommodate 63 patients,” he said.
Dr. Soberano also added that the hospital recorded one death that is not related to the earthquake.
“Actually the patient died due to a medical condition before the earthquake, and imention talaga namin kasi kasama siya sa record that day but it is not related to the earthquake,” Soberano said.
Dr. Soberano also underscored that they also established a temporary base for their Dietary Services as their current building was advised to be condemned.
State of Emergency declared in DDOPH Montevista
With the current status of the building, Dr. Soberano declared a State of Emergency for DDOPH Montevista limiting its capacity from a maximum of 250 beds to 150 beds.
He urged health care facilities outside the province or region to limit referrals to DDOPH Montevista as they cater emergency cases only.
Before the earthquake, the hospital has been catering patients not only from Davao de Oro but also to its neighboring provinces and towns like Agusan, and Davao del Norte.
“For consultation, we have restricted our Out Patient Department (OPD) services to no face to face muna because we utilize our OPD for wards,” Soberano said.
Patients may however avail of the OPD services of DDOPH Montevista through teleconsultation via text or messenger, he added. (PIA XI, Michael Uy)