Dengue Alert

Even though much of the services of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) have been relegated to barangay health centers, the city-run hospital is still seeing a rise in admittances, mostly dengue patients.

Dr. Myrna Go, CCMC head, said the hospital admitted 92 dengue patients last July, more than double the number in the same period last year, with the trend continuing as of the first two weeks of August.

Go said that the situation had come to the point wherein the beds in the pediatrics ward on the third floor had to accommodate three patients.

And even if a bed became free, hospital administrators would rather not spread the patients out, especially those in critical condition, so that it would be easier for the hospital’s few doctors to check on the patients.

“We only have three doctors doing the rounds beyond office hours,” Go said. “Besides, dengue is not contagious, so they can’t contaminate each other.”

She said only patients who have the same condition are made to share beds in the hospital ward if necessary.

The rise in patients at the CCMC could be attributed to the weather, since more people get sick on rainy days, Go said.

“We have no choice (but to admit them), unless they choose to transfer on their own. But they stay here because they don’t have to pay and needed blood is just donated. That’s why some would just content themselves with sitting down, just as long as they're admitted,” she said.