Over 10,000 patients have been catered to at the Marilog District Hospital since it got a license to operate from the Department of Health (DOH) in February 2021.
Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte graced the inauguration and blessing of the Marilog District Hospital, DOH Botika ng Bayan, and the Lingap sa Mahirap Marilog Satellite Office on Wednesday, November 17, along with Davao City Councilors Mary Joselle Villafuerte and Myrna Dalodo Ortiz, and Marilog District Hospital Acting Chief Ely Buenaventura.
The hospital provided outpatients services, delivery, and admission, minor surgical procedures, animal bite treatment services, COVID-19-related services, among others, to over 10,000 patients.
Mayor Duterte said there are still many things that can be done for the hospital.
“Una namong naistoryahan mas pakusgon nato ang atoang Philhealth, ang paggamit sa Philhealth dinhi ug masulod sya sa atoang health care nga balaod. Dako ang masulod nga kwarta sa reimbursements gikan sa kani nga pamaagi para masustain nato atoang operations (We have discussed strengthening the use of Philhealth here and that it would be included in the universal health care law. Through this, more money will come from reimbursements so we can sustain our operations),” the mayor said in an interview with Byaheng DO30.
The possibility of Marilog District Hospital gaining autonomy was also discussed.
Mayor Duterte said, “Kinahanglan nga dunay autonomy sa hospital para paspas sila makalihok (The hospital needs to have autonomy so they can move faster). Maglisod man gud sila kung naka attach sila pirmi dinha sa (It would be difficult for them to always be attached to the) City Mayor’s Office o City Health Office. Kinahanglan naa silay autonomy diri nga magpadagan ug mag operate sa ilang ospital (They need to have autonomy to run and operate the hospital).”
She hoped that documents will be ready so that the hospital can also open an operating room with surgeons who can attend to surgical cases, as well as cesarean operation and other medical needs that would require an operating room and anesthesia.
“Looking forward ang Davao City na mapatukod na dinhi sa atoang (Davao City looks forward to seeing that built at the) Marilog Hospital,” the top local chief executive added.
The Marilog District Hospital, the first Davao City-run infirmary, has a 10-bed capacity, 14 medical-related services, and 73 medical and non-medical staff.
Mayor Duterte thanked the city government employees and volunteers, particularly Dr. Ely Buenaventura, whom she praised as she said, “gipakita nila kung dunay mga tao nga dunay kasing-kasing para sa pagtabang sa mga tao, mabuhat gyud nato ang tanan kon magkahiusa ta sa isa ka direksyon (they showed if there are people who have the heart to help others, we can really do everything if we are united in one direction).”
She also said that a similar hospital will be constructed in Paquibato District and in Mintal. The latter will be in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao.
The mayor added, “Duna na tay hospital dinhi. Duna nay mga doctors mapangutana kabahin sa ilang gibati (We have a hospital here. We have doctors whom you can consult for any health issue). Open kini seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Wala nay rason nga makita ta na ang mga tao walay access sa atoang mga (There is no reason for people not to have access to our) doctors o (or) health care workers and medicines.”
Dr. Buenaventura, for his part, said the Lingap Marilog branch is already open and it will provide medical and other assistance while the Botika ng Bayan makes affordable and effective medicines accessible. The Philhealth portal system or hospital information management system was also launched during the event.CIO
