Healthcare facilities turned over to Western Visayas Sanitarium

Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 led the formal turnover of healthcare facilities to Western Visayas Sanitarium (WVS) in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

WVS was represented by Dr. Judy Ann T. Dumayas, medical center chief I.

DPWH 6 Maintenance Division Chief Engr. Ma. Lucila C. Piñero, various hospital executives and representatives of the contractor, and Ms. Carmel Cerdon witnessed the event.

Rev. Father Jose Nixon P. Pascual, hospital chaplain, led the blessing.

Delfinado said the facilities include isolation/quarantine building for COVID-19 patients and Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs), and Off-Site Dormitory which will serve as temporary shelter for medical personnel and medical front liners of the hospital.

“Here at Western Visayas Sanitarium, we provided one-unit isolation/quarantine building (container van) to be utilized as facility for COVID-19 patients who are undergoing medical treatment. The building is composed of 16 rooms with individual comfort room and air conditioning unit; nurse station; male and female nurse quarters, each with two double-deck beds, air conditioning unit and comfort room; electrical/utility room; sanitation area, water tank; septic tank; and generator/distribution transformer,” Delfinado said.

“Other than isolation building, we have also provided one-unit off-site dormitory (container van) to be used as temporary shelter for medical personnel and front liners of this hospital. The building has 16 rooms, each with one double-deck bed, air conditioner and comfort room; air-conditioned living and dining area; laundry room and kitchen; water tank, sanitation area, utility/electrical room; septic tank; and generator/transformer,” she added.

Dr. Dumayas lauded DPWH for providing very comfortable and conducive facilities not only to Covid-19 patients but also to their employees who are providing medical services.

“Our medical workers were then quite hesitant to be assigned to COVID-19 cases because they experienced discrimination, but with this very nice facility, I believe that many of our frontline workers will be willing to work as staff for COVID-19 cases,” Dumayas said. (DPWH-6/RPAIO)