Baguio Hospital For COVID19 Patients Opens April 14

March 30, 2020 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (March 30, 2020) — It’s all systems go for the revival and conversion of the Sto. Niño Hospital at P. Burgos barangay into a critical care facility for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients.
Operational by April 14, Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña said, preparations for the building, facilities, manpower and other aspects went full blast after owners of the long dormant hospital and the barangay officials and residents were convinced of the urgency and necessity of using it as a dedicated facility for COVID patients.
The team preparing the center led by the St. Louis University Hospital of the Sacred Heart headed by Medical Director Dr. Paul Adlai B. Quitiquit had inspected the building and decided that the city needs three weeks to repurpose the building being used as a school.
“Our preparations on services, equipment, manpower and other logistics are also ongoing. We are currently finalizing our draft proposal to the city for the operation of the new center,” Quitiquit had told the mayor.
He will also submit recommendations to facilitate the application for the facility’s license to operate as a specialty hospital with the assistance of the Dept. of Health.
Magalong said he wants a third party to certify that the facility passed the standards before the first patient can be brought in.
Sto Niño Hospital, which ceased operations in 2009, has a 36-bed capacity.
The mayor had assured that the city will undertake all measures to secure the area to prevent contamination in the community.  Doctors and experts on infectious diseases had assured that the facility will be protected and contained to avoid danger to the community.
The exclusive critical care unit will enable the city to segregate COVID patients from non-COVID patients and free the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center and other hospitals from contamination risks.
Proper solid and liquid waste disposal, fire prevention, sewer, electrical, plumbing and security systems will be installed in the building.
For these requirements including the various carpentry and repair works, the city continued to receive help from private individuals and companies who volunteered their services and equipment for free among whom are Roland Gapuz, Benguet Electric Cooperative Inc., Jerco Hardware, Davies and Boysen paints.
Medical and housekeeping facilities and manpower will again be pooled from the various hospitals, DOH and the city government.
Artemio Dumlao-ABN