- MITCH M. LIPA
Five provincial government-run hospitals incurred structural damage during the onslaught of Typhoon “Odette” mid-December.
Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, said the Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital in Sipalay City was the hardest hit, with its roofing, ceiling, glass walls and structures damaged by strong winds.
Diaz said he asked the Government Service Insurance System, the insurer of government properties, to send appraisers to evaluate the damage and to implement repairs.
He said a portion of the hospital is nonoperational although its health services continue.
The Valladolid District Hospital also suffered damage in the Operating Room, after a tree fell on the roof. A team from the Provincial Engineering Office is assessing the damage and is expected to submit a report soon so that immediate repairs can be made to bring back the hospital to full operation.
The Valeriano Gatuslao District Hospital in Himamaylan City also reported damage in the roofing and ceiling. The medical staff of the hospital said several equipment and tools were also damaged due to the unstable power supply.
The hospital is operating its generator to ensure a stable supply so as not to affect the performance and output of the medical equipment.
The Hinobaan Hospital also incurred damage to its roofing, just like the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay.
The Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan did not have any major damage but the management requested the Bureau of Fire Protection Jan. 3 to flush out the whole ground floor because of the foul odor caused by floodwater that entered the hospital premises Dec. 17 at the height of Odette.
There was no estimated cost of damage yet since assessment is still ongoing, Diaz said, adding that once the damage and recommended cost of repairs will be submitted, the Office of the Governor will find ways to allocate a budget. | MML
