THE EFFICIENT management of isolation and quarantine facilities will help decongest hospitals in the city and enable their medical staff to better handle severe coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, according to Melquiades Feliciano, who is assisting Cebu coronavirus management overseer Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.
In an interview with a local radio station here on Monday (29 June), Feliciano noted that if mild and moderate cases, as well as suspected and probable ones are taken to these facilities, doctors will be able to focus on serious Covid-19 patients brought to hospitals.
“Kailangan natin i-enhance ‘yung ating system para maiwasan ang pagdiretso ng tao sa hospitals. Mayroon tayong Barangay Isolation Centers (BICs) and quarantine facilities. Kapag naayos natin ito, tiyak ang pagdecongest ang hospitals (We have to enhance our system to prevent people from going directly to hospitals. We have BICs and quarantine facilities. If we can do it, we can surely decongest hospitals),” Feliciano said.
He said the isolation and quarantine facilities are well-equipped and manned by experienced health workers who are capable of taking good care of their patients.
“Mayroon tayong (We have) health workers and medical front-liners na (who) assigned sa mga (in the) isolation centers and quarantine facilities to care and attend to the needs of the patients,” Feliciano said.
Military is here to help
Feliciano, a retired major general, denied claims made by activists that Cebu City is “militarizing” its approach in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.
He explained that Covid-19 is a medical issue, and the main task of the military and police is to strictly enforce the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) guidelines in the city which has seen a spike in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks.
“Medikal ang issue na ito. (This (pandemic) is medical issue). Doctors ang authority. Nandito lamang po ang military (is here) to support the health workers in the prevention of spread and management of patients,” Feliciano said. “They're here to see to it that the ECQ guidelines are implemented. The city needs assistance in the implementation of the ECQ.”
He said even if medical intervention is made, the threat of the highly-contagious Covid-19 will not stop if “people are violating the rules”.
“The priority effort here is medical intervention. In fact, medical practitioners ang advisers natin (are our advisers),” he added.
Suggestions, criticisms welcome
Feliciano said he welcomes suggestions as well as criticisms as these will help improve their work.
“We welcome suggestions and criticisms so as to improve our approaches. Marami rin namang magagandang suggestions at valid criticisms iyang mga ‘yan. Ito ay makakatulong para tama ang aming gawin (There are good suggestions and these are valid criticisms. These can help us to properly do our job),” he said.
Feliciano also expressed optimism that the health situation in the city will soon improve, as long as the systems and protocols are in place and effectively implemented by the local government.
“Nandito kami para tumulong (We are here to help). Gusto namin na (We want that) at the soonest possible time mag-open na ang Cebu (will open) for livelihood. But right now, [the] lives of the Cebuanos are given more priority than livelihood," he said.
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