“What happened now to the JR Borja hospital is that there is mismanagement, and our good medical professionals who [...]]]> With doctors’ exodus, hospital is nearing paralysis, says Rep. Rodriguez

CITY Hall is to blame for the series of resignations of doctors at the city-run JR Borja General Hospital, Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.

“What happened now to the JR Borja hospital is that there is mismanagement, and our good medical professionals who have offered their services there can’t work effectively as they would want to because they lacked support from the City Government,” Rep. Rodriguez told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro in a phone interview.

Rep. Rodriguez authored the bill that would have increased funding for the dilapidated hospital by placing it under the better-equipped Northern Mindanao Medical Center.

Officials had earlier confirmed the resignations of at least 13 doctors, nearly half of the hospital’s regular resident physicians. Three more were set to leave late last week, a hospital insider told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

If the situation worsens, the City Hall-operated hospital may be heading for paralysis, crippling its already deteriorating services as a result.
Already, the hospital has cut its consultation to cope up with personnel losses, reducing in effect the volume of patients that can be accommodated in a day.

Poor pay and poor working conditions are among the reasons cited by the doctors in tendering their resignations, said the Sun.Star source, who is also a physician.

What cemented the physicians’ decision to leave the hospital was when City Hall blocked Rodriguez’s bill, the source said.

The bill would have helped the hospital in terms of better facilities and higher compensation for the medical staff, the physician said.
Rodriguez said the resignations were a

“wake up call for our City Government. Had they not objected the bill, the salary grades of nurses and doctors would have increased dramatically because they would be paid by the National Government.

Under the salary grade in the national level, the lawmaker said nurses would receive P18,000 per month and P25,000 to P28,000 for doctors.
Rodriguez also clarified earlier reports that he already dropped the bill.

He said the proposed measure is now pending at the Senate health committee because Mayor Constantino Jaraula had earlier written the then committee chairman, Sen. Pia Cayetano, expressing City Hall’s objection to the bill.

“Medyo na-divide karon ang Senate because of Mayor Jaraula’s objection,” Rodriguez said. “But I already passed around 18 resolutions signed by 18 barangay officials who expressed their intention favoring the annexation of the City Hospital to the NMMC.

The bill being parochial in nature, he said some senators are hesitant to support it because of the local government’s opposition.

Rodriguez said the ball is now in the hands of the City Hall, saying the bill may be revived again if Jaraula reconsiders the administration’s position on the matter. by Annabelle L. Ricalde of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro

A city hospital physician, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the doctors resigned as a group as a statement to City Hall that they had lost confidence on [...]]]> LOW pay and poor working conditions have forced most doctors of the government owned JR Borja Memorial City Hospital to tender their resignations, a hospital insider said.

A city hospital physician, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the doctors resigned as a group as a statement to City Hall that they had lost confidence on the way things are going at the hospital.

Already saddled with patient overload, JR Borja doctors have to contend with lack of medicines and adequate facilities.

Doctors are also inadequately paid compared to other public hospitals, the source said, but clarified that this was not the main reason for the exodus.

The last straw came when City Hall itself scuttled the planned annexation of the City Hospital to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).

Had the plan been realized, it would have would have placed the smaller city-run hospital under the national government, increasing its funding along with the salary of the personnel.

“After that nawad-an na sila og gana. Ingon sila wala gyuy mahitabo ini nga ospital(They just lost hope after that. They said nothing good would come out if they stay in the hospital),” the doctor said.

The source said other doctors like him had also planned to quit, but opted to stay hoping “things will change so soon.” Foremost, the physician said he and his colleagues are hoping that City Hall will reconsider its position on the hospital’s conversion into a national medical facility.

A number of City Hall officials confirmed Monday’s resignations of at least 13 doctors. The City Hospital has 31 doctors in its plantilla.

However, officials could not agree what made the doctors quit.

Cagayan de Oro Councilor Dante Pajo, chair of the committee on health and social service, attributed the doctors’ exodus to “conflict of scheduling in their duty hours.”

Most the doctors who resigned had wanted to work for two straight days to cover the mandated 40 or so duty hours and then avail of five days off, Pajo said.

“Nangbalhin ang mga doctors kay nangita’g more lenient working hours siguro. They are all good doctors but we can’t prevent them from transferring,” Pajo said.

But the councilor said the government hospitals can’t bend work schedules to give doctors “lenient schedules.”

“Doctors are obliged to work eight-hour shifts every day. That’s the way government hospitals work because we are in public health service,” he said.

However, City Information Officer Erwin Culanag said most of those who tendered their resignations had said they wanted to “seek greener pastures.”

“Ang sweldo daw ang rason, ubos ra daw para sa ila,” Culanag told Sun.Star, citing his conversation with Dr. Philip Medalle, acting chief of hospital.

Pajo said doctors from the City Health Office (CHO) had been ordered to temporarily cover the night shifts to cover the staff shortage.

Human Resource Department Head Adriano Lumagsao, Jr. said his office had yet to receive copies of the names of the doctors who resigned.

The staff shortage has taken a toll on the services of the hospital, which already has shortened its consultation hours.

City Hall had earlier rejected a bill authored by 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez seeking the integration of the rundown JR Borja Memorial City Hospital to the better-equipped NMMC.

House Bill 239 provides “for the upgrade and modernization of the J.R. Borja City Memorial Hospital as an extension hospital of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro and appropriating funds therefore.”

The bill is co-authored by 1st district Rep. Rolando Uy.

Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Jun Galban said the “Sunshine Building” of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) would be used as isolation [...]]]> The facility the government would use to quarantine people in case of the spread of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus here is only good for five patients. the health department’s spokesperson here said.

Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Jun Galban said the “Sunshine Building” of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) would be used as isolation ward in case of the virus breaks out in northern Mindanao.

“It’s not big enough,” he said. But while the isolation ward could not accomodate many patients, the facility is fully equipped, he said.

Galban also assured that health workers from all levels in Region 10 were briefed and were working on infection prevention.

Earlier, health authorities in neighboring Caraga region said three people in region 13 who came from the US were suspected to have the virus.

In another related development, a thermal scanner would be in place at the Lumbia Airport as a measure to monitor travelers in hopes of preventing the virus from making its way into Cagayan de Oro.

Mayor Constantino Jaraula said the thermal scanner would be installed anytime this week courtesy of the Philippine Airlines.

The equipment would enable authorities to identify passengers with fever, one of the symptoms of the deadly flu.

Jaraula also said he hoped authorities in neighboring Caraga have set in place measures against the spread of the deadly flu.

But Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is saying another thing. He said Uy’s party, the administration Lakas, is a big problem and therefore, nothing is final [...]]]> Rep. Rolando Uy claims he and his counterpart in the 2nd District have agreed to forge an alliance to fight the ruling PaDayon Pilipino in the 2010 elections.

But Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is saying another thing. He said Uy’s party, the administration Lakas, is a big problem and therefore, nothing is final yet.

Rodriguez the point man of former President Joseph Estrada’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) for Northern Mindanao, denied the existence of a political alliance with Uy after the neophyte congressman from the 1st District claimed that they have agreed to join forces against the ruling PaDayon Pilipino in 2010.

Rodriguez said his alliance with Uy is only limited to public service. He said he and Uy merely agreed to support and complement each other’s undertakings for the development of the city’s two districts.

“Medyo layo pa ang pulitika…we are helping each other improve services to Cagayanons like tabangan nato nga mahatag ang JR Borja hospital sa national government para gayud mahatagan og dako nga pundo,”

said Rodriguez.

He said he and Uy were allies insofar as legislative work is concerned. But Rodriguez brushed aside Uy’s claims of a political alliance, saying this would be diffcult in that Uy belongs to the administration party while he (Rodriguez) is a member of the opposition PMP.

Earlier, Uy claimed on local radio that he and Rodriguez have agreed on a political alliance in an effort to form a stronger ticket against the ruling party in the city hall in next year’s elections. Uy however said he and Rodriguez also agreed to facilitate the release of millions of pesos in infrastructure projects for the city’s two districts. He took a jab at city hall’s penchant for construction projects funded through loans and undertaken through build-operate-transfer contracts.

“Trabaho lang kaming duha para sa dakbayan. Dili kay ilubong sa utang,”

said Uy.

Over local radio station DXCC, Uy said the local opposition would field a full slate against the party of Vice Mayor Vicente Emano.

“Wala kamiy lain choice but to unite against the city’s present administration,”

Uy said. -By Lito Rulona

This explains why there was strong opposition to House Bill 239 because the proposed measure supposedly threatens to cut off a big source of kickbacks [...]]]> Placing the JR Borja Memorial General Hospital under the national government would mean ridding city hall of a major source of corruption, two lawyers and a former PaDayon Pilipino ally said.

This explains why there was strong opposition to House Bill 239 because the proposed measure supposedly threatens to cut off a big source of kickbacks from hospital supplies, medicines and equipment, according to lawyers Manuel Ravanera and Rogelio Bagabuyo and Gusa barangay chairperson Enrico Salcedo.

Ravanera, a vocal critic of the ruling PaDayon Pilipino, alleged that corruption in the city hospital has been documented. he also alleged that supplies – from powdered soap to bond papers and medicines – were found to be overpriced.

Ravanera said the evidence include vouchers, invoices, logbook photocopies and delivery receipts. These, he said, were kept by a group of city hospital staff members “who could no longer stand the graft practices.”

Ravanera has used the documents as bases for 32 counts of graft charges against Dr. Jerie Calingasan, a former chief of the hospital, division heads and Vice Mayor Vicente Emano.

The amount, according to Ravanera, involved some P18 million. He said members of the hospital staff are standing as the complainants.

He said invoices showed the purchase of eight kilos of Zoom Detergent Powder costing P11,500 or at P1,437.00 per kilo and another for the purchase of a food conveyor with 36 trays for P119,500.

“What kind of a detergent powder costs P1,437 per kilo? A food conveyor used to deliver food around the hospital at almost P120,000? Why not just buy a small truck?” Ravanera asked rhetorically.

Salcedo, Gusa’s village chief, said there were signs that the city hospital, including its staff, would be used by politicians for the 2010 elections.

This early, he said, city hall has prevented city hospital workers in helping in medical outreaches initiated by officials perveived to be political enemies of the PaDayon Pilipino.

Bagabuyo, meanwhile, cited a report from the Commission on Audit (COA) which questioned transactions involving the city hospital.

In the 2007 COA report, Bagabuyo said there were two violations pointed out by the Commission. These, he said, were the distribution of P15 million worth of medicines without complete inventory documents and the “receipt mess” involving P4 million.

Bagabuyo also cited COA’s 2006 report that showed that over P26 million in medicines, dental and other supplies were “erroneously accounted” by the Emano administration.

“Of course, these are deliberate errors. The city hospital needs a new management. Therefore, there is the need to support HB 239.” he said.

HB 239 seeks the “upgrade and modernization of the JR Borja City Memorial hospital as an extension hospital of the Northern Mindanao medical Center (NMMC) in Cagayan de oro…”

The bill would mean an allocation of around P127 million for the 100-bed hospital which was assessed by the Department of Health as a mere secondary hospital as of August last year.

The proposal is now pending for third and final hearing at the Senate.

By LIZANILLA AMARGA
Correspondent Gold Star Daily
Published Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Editor: Herbie Gomez

The group has sought the help of Manuel Ravanera, the same lawyer who filed on behalf of a group of doctors [...]]]> A GROUP of doctors, nurses and other staff members at the JR Borja General Hospital are organizing themselves to call for the passage of House Bill 239. They want the city hall-run hospital “fully nationalized.”

The group has sought the help of Manuel Ravanera, the same lawyer who filed on behalf of a group of doctors and hospital staff members 32 counts of graft charges against former city hospital chief Dr. Jerie Calingasan and eight others, including Vice Mayor Vicente Emano.

Ravanera said the group has long complained over the lack of medicines, supplies and could not properly give medical care to the needy because, supposedly, it has not been getting enough support from the local government.

He said the group is not content with the softened stand of the city council on HB 239 as contained in a recent resolution.

“They do not want the city government to be a conduit for our city hospital. They want our city hospital to be fully nationalized,” he said. By “fully nationalized,” the group means placing the city hospital completely under national government through the health department.

Mayor Constantino Jaraula and most councilors earlier opposed HB 239 saying it was filed without proper consultation. They also called the move “unconstitutional and confiscatory” as ownership and the hospital’s management would now be placed under the Department of Health (DOH).

But, eventually, the city council softened and supported HB 239 on condition that city hall would become a conduit for the P127 million in annual funds that would be set aside by the DOH and that it would retain control over the city hospital.

But Ravanera said an open letter has been issued by the group as a response to city hall’s softened stand.
The letter outlines several advantages and only two disadvantages should HB 239 be fully approved under the tenor of its original authors, Reps. Rufus Rodriguez and Uy.

Among the advantages the group pointed out is that the direction for the JRBGH would be in line with the new public management system of the health sector. The group said JRBGH would have a regular budget share from the DOH and not rely completely with the meager budget the city government is giving.

Also, they said, it is the DOH which has access to overseas funding agencies that regulary provide the health sector and can direct some of the aid to the JRBGH.

Another advantage, the group said, is that regular training for the JRBGH staff would be undertaken and that foreign-funded training courses through the DOH would be available thus enhancing the services offered by the city hospital. “Infrastructure completion can be factored into the short, medium and long-term plans of DOH for the JRBGH, hence completing the whole hospital as a Medical Center in probably five to 10 years,” a portion of the group’s letter reads.

For them, the retention of income would allow the hospital to continue to improve its facilities and equipment. Also, the group said, a “revolving drug fund” could also be put into place immediately to correct the dearth of drugs and medicines. “Emergency drugs shall then be always available for the hospital clientele and that suppliers will not hesitate to negotiate with nationalized hospital,” the group said.

The group sad DOH administrative orders would provide the “best milieu and work conditions” for the staff of the JRBGH as benefits would be provided and the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers could be fully implemented. They said the national qualification standards and the career path for the health sector would be implemented.

“It shall continue to be a City Hospital for Cagayan de Oro City but, more responsive to the City’s needs,” the letter reads. It said the hospital could become an upgraded and properly managed hospital that can provide the necessary tertiary health care while Northern Mindanao Medical Center could be allowed to develop and provide sub-specialty care.

“This will then mean that patients who need transplant surgery, advanced cardio-vascular and thoracic surgery, neurosurgery and other services need not go to Cebu or Manila for such.” the letter reads.

The two disadvantages include how ownership would not anymore rest with the local government and that hiring, firing and the management would be taken care of by the national government.

By LIZANILLA AMARGA
Correspondent
Gold Star Daily
Published Tuesday, February 3, 2009

a. The DOH is the authority in health systems b. The DOH has the researches and projections on output that when put to use, will serve the best health interest of the populace of Cagayan de Oro City. c. [...]]]> ADVANTAGES:

1. Direction for this government health facility will be in line with the New Public Management System of the Health Sector.

a. The DOH is the authority in health systems
b. The DOH has the researches and projections on output that when put to use, will serve the best health interest of the populace of Cagayan de Oro City.
c. Rationalization of Health Resources based on Health Need for Cagayan de Oro City and Region X can be more fully studied and addressed.

2. The DOH has the budget for the Health Sector

a. A hospital under the DOH will have priority to its annual budget
b. The JRBGH need not compete with other services of the local government for its limited budget
c. The DOH has access to overseas funding agencies that regularly provides for the health sector and can direct some of these to the JRBGH
d. The LGU-run hospital will not need to constantly ask for a share in the national DOH budget for health; the JRBGH shall have a regular budget from DOH.
e. When properly managed with the appropriate directives, the JRBGH can further move towards sustainability with Corporatization and better fiscal management, thus providing for its own means to support advances and upgrading of facilities.

3. Continuing Education and training

a. DOH is the repository of brilliant minds in health: including training and education
b. DOH has regular training for its staff and personnel
c. Foreign-funded training coursed through the DOH will be available for the personnel of JRBGH
d. Services will be enhanced with training of the Administration, Nursing, Ancillary and Medical Staff of the Hospital

4. Hospital Services

a. All directives and orders of the DOH shall be implemented. These are guaranteed to provide optimum hospital health care for the patients.
b. Infrastructure completion can be factored into the short, medium and long-term plans of DOH for the JRBGH, hence completing the whole hospital as a Medical Center in probably 5-10 years.
c. Retention of Income can allow the hospital to continue to improve and add to its equipment complement to be able to provide the various basic and specialty hospital that is necessary in Cagayan de Oro.
d. A Revolving Drug Fund can be put into place immediately to correct the dearth of drugs and medicines. Emergency drugs shall then be always available for the hospital clientele.
e. Suppliers will not hesitate to negotiate with a re-nationalized hospital.

5. Personnel Benefits

a. DOH administrative orders shall provide the best milieu and work conditions for the staff of the JRBGH. Benefits shall be provided. The Magna Carta for Public Health Workers can be implemented.
b. National Qualification Standards and the Career Path for the Health Sector shall be implemented.

6. Others:

a. The hospital can continue to be named the J.R.Borja General Hospital and thus, hold on to the historical aspect of the hospital. It shall continue to be a City Hospital for Cagayan de Oro City but, more responsive to the City’s needs.
b. The JRBGH can be more involved in the Rationalization of Health Services for the City in particular and the whole region in general.
c. The JRBGH can be a more responsive Government Health Facility for Region X because an upgraded and properly managed hospital can provide the necessary tertiary health care while the Northern Mindanao Medical Center can be allowed to develop and provide Sub-specialty care. This will then mean that patients who need transplant surgery, advanced cardio-vascular and thoracic surgery, neuro-surgery and other services need not go to Cebu or Manila for such

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Ownership will not anymore rest with the local government of Cagayan de Oro City.
2. Hiring, Firing and management will be turned-over to the National Government.

(Attachment: Dr. Tagayuna’s letter)

Happy New Year!

It was not a very happy new year for me, though, because I had just said goodbye to something that I had learned to carry around in my mind and my heart. (And, believe it or not, caused me to lose 20 precious pounds!) It was [...]]]> Dear Doki-Rich,

Happy New Year!

It was not a very happy new year for me, though, because I had just said goodbye to something that I had learned to carry around in my mind and my heart. (And, believe it or not, caused me to lose 20 precious pounds!) It was difficult not to call up the Emergency Room to ask about all of you and how you all did after the new year. But certainly, life is like that.

At the outset, please allow me to say that I hold no grudges nor have I ever regretted the decision to take on the JRBGH leadership… even while my heart (which used to be majority “hospital mother”) is sad at the moment.

Thank you very much for the “Open Letter…” that you wrote. Can a heart enlarge non-physiologically, Doctor? My heart swelled with pride to know that there are among you who value my stay at the JRBGH. But, I had to caution myself… let the swelling stay in my chest… I did not want to be afflicted with emphysema of the brain… or symptoms to that effect.

But, even while I had decided to leave the JRBGH (where I was prepared to retire and die in… maybe not really “… die for…” as you said), I couldn’t help but try to point out a few things for you. It seems my leadership mode for the JRBGH hasn’t really been totally turned off.

Doki Rich, as soon as I arrived at the JRBGH a little over a year and 3 months ago, among other things, I made sure that we had a working Executive Committee (Execom) composed of the Division Heads and me. Please humor me by allowing me to explain why. Because I believed that everyone in the hospital needed to have a significant part in how we would run the hospital. We needed to allow every single person to be accountable not only to their immediate supervisors but to the hospital clientele, the people of Cagayan de Oro City: the main reason why we are. This meant that every week, the Execom met and discussed hospital concerns emanating from city hall, hospital management, personnel, patients and other stakeholders (DOH, media, the youth council, etc).

From these meetings, the Execom went to their Divisions to trickle down our thoughts and promote upstream run of issues. And once a month, we had a Hospital General Meeting to identify, air out and address concerns. (At this point, allow me to say thank you to everyone… those who supported what I tried to do: because they made my work easy and those who didn’t quite agree: because they kept me on my toes to try and be better.)

Why do I bring this up again? Because Doki-Rich, I want to point out that my leadership style called for the involvement of everyone and that such be properly implemented, too. I wanted to walk my talk. All of us needed to have a voice in how we run the hospital. All of us needed to know where we wanted to go. All of us needed to know our weaknesses. All of us needed to know our strengths. All of us needed to know our Vision and Mission: to be a tertiary hospital responsible for the health needs of Cagayan de Oro City. Thus, as your previous leader, I encourage you to continue to be responsible and accountable to yourself, the hospital and the people with regards what we are BEST in: the hospital care of Cagay-anons.

I do not intend for this to be a pitch for my return to the JRBGH. At this stage, I don’t think that’s best for our hospital. You were all witness to my experience there. My staying on will only mean that the JRBGH will not be able to get what it truly needs.

FOCUS instead on the Systems changes that can improve the services of the hospital: Fiscal autonomy or at least, retention of income and a revolving drug fund; Hiring of Resident doctors and augmentation of staff for expanded hospital operations; Review and modification of the procurement system; Training, training and more training for the staff (on clinical knowledge and values formation); and provision of appropriate benefits for personnel and staff. We need to open up our hospital to knowledge and technology that can markedly improve our services.

Doki Rich, our problem is not just money. It is a metanoia (is this the right word?) , on all levels. We need to take on our vision and mission. We need to live it and exert all our energies to “get there.” (as YOUR favorite President-elect aptly puts it. ) I hope we can “get there” without dealing with all these on a personal level.

While accolades and verbal or nonverbal support truly warms this ageing heart and adds to my treasure chest of fond memories to delve into during times of strife, I really should once more “lead” you away from this track. As I have said over and over again, no one is indispensable. Our systems should run; our services should be optimal whoever is at the helm.

Lastly, let me share with you this piece (attached file “national”) on why I think Nationalization of our Hospital is advantageous to all concerned. No one really asked for my opinion on this matter so please allow me to impose it on you. It is not a complete list, I am sure. It may not even be totally true as I did not consult with anybody on this. But, these are my personal ideas and if proven wrong, again, I shall humbly accept.

My warmest regards to you, Jovy and your beautiful family. Pa sobra pa diay: my personal and humble thanks to Jovy who selflessly turned over her hospital showcase. It shows what kind of hearts you have and where our hospital lies in your lives. And, while I have thanked you for this, let me say that one of the peaks of my stay at the JRBGH was having a website: ALL OUR VERY OWN! And this was because of you… May blessings upon blessings come upon you.

Yours truly,

DET

What’s all the fuzz? Dr. Tagayuna has done more for the Hospital and it’s Personnel and Staff [...]]]> I am writing this to show my sentiments on the current issue that the Chief of Hospital of J.R. Borja General Hospital in the person of Dr. Dures Tagayuna received an order recalling her to the City Health Office.

What’s all the fuzz? Dr. Tagayuna has done more for the Hospital and it’s Personnel and Staff in the past 2 years she served as Chief of Hospital than any of her predecessors who served the same period. She was sweet-talked into running an almost dying institution probably not so much as to save it but more so in the hope of making her a political ally by the way things are going.

However, seeing that her being in her present office is not serving IT’S ORIGINAL PURPOSE but rather going in a different direction notwithstanding that direction is for the good of the institution and of it’s staff and clientele, she is being ordered to vacate her office in the pretense of being needed elsewhere for her leadership.

If the appointing office really believes in her capabilities as a leader, they will retain her in her present office and not put her at some imaginary station where she is supposed to be of better service. That reasoning may go unchallenged by the run of the mill folks whose loyalties can be easily bought by a handful of pesos but to expect the honest intelligent worker to believe that, is definitely an insult.

Dr. Tagayuna has her eye on the future of J.R. Borja General City Hospital. She hopes she can make a difference and leave a legacy for the succeeding generations of patients who will benefit from such changes. She is even willing to die for it but apparently others “entities” have set their sight on the hospital too and one can only wonder what they see.

What do they see? Do they see a leader who can bring the hospital to greater heights or do they see an obstacle to their own purposes? Do they see the health workers serving more than they are required to, under substandard condition, being exposed to communicable diseases with inadequate protection and no hazard fee? Or do they see sweatshops where they can cut down on benefits and save money for other projects? Do they see the father who is the breadwinner of the family laying sick in a worn out bed? Do they see the mother of 10 children taking care of a sick baby? Do they see a 10 year-old child wondering what he will do with the prescription in his hand because there is no medicine available in the hospital pharmacy? Or do they see that at least none of them are their fathers, neither their mothers, nor their sons nor their daughters? Do they see the sick who seek the comforts of the hospital or do they only see what the hospital can give back to the City?

Who took it upon themselves to be responsible for caring for the people? Do you? We at J.R. Borja General City Hospital do! That’s why we cannot just sit down and let anybody take away from us, a good leader who has given this hospital a direction. She boosted the staff’s morale that had been hanging low in the past several years and pulling her out means pulling everyone’s morale down.

If the goal is to make everyone subservient to the whims of a self-seeking power then the hope for change will be crushed. How long can one keep on banging his head against the wall if the wall does not give in? Until he finds another way to survive without banging his head on the wall.

I have worked in the hospital for almost three years now. With my training, I thought I could make a difference. On my own I found out I could not. It took the presence of a passionate leader to help realize some of those hopes. Suddenly, going to work is not so much of a burden anymore knowing what we are doing is not going to waste. While we still lack equipment to give the most basic of services, while we are still short on supplies, while some of our basic benefits are still not given to us, we can work thinking, all those problems are workable and someday the solutions will be found by the right person/s with the right attitude.

Health should be a priority that is not affected by biases, pride, and powerplay. Dr. Dures Tagayuna is the man for the job as Chief of the J.R. Borja General City Hospital. Remove her from the helm and the hospital will be like a ship without a Captain, driven wherever the wind fancies it to go. If you want to save the hospital put Dr. Tagayuna at the helm.

DR. RICHEL BACOT
Internal Medicine
Medical Officer IV
J.R. Borja General Hospital