Moreno says preparedness key to contain COVID 19

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–Mayor Oscar S. Moreno of Cagayan de Oro City says he can declare lockdown and suspension of classes in the city but by doing this, he asked, “Are we responding properly?”

In a recent press conference, Moreno said, “A good balance in decision making and preparedness are key to avoid and contain Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the region.”

“We have been following Department of Health (DOH) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) guidelines,” the mayor added.

“Of course it’s easy to say there will be no more activities; all of us will stay home. Unless the health authorities tell me that, then I will not declare that,” Moreno explained.

In the meantime, he said, what is important is the preparedness through individual and collective response such as social distancing and exercise among others.

It is also important, he said, “to decongest the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), where most patients in the region go to for health service.”

“We can’t think normally here. We have to think extraordinarily because this is extraordinary times. We have to find a way to decongest NMMC so they can focus on COVID cases,” the mayor added. 
DOH-10 Regional Director Dr. Adriano P. Suba-an, on the other hand, said, “Since the government has declared Code Red, the health department has prepared not only the government hospitals but also the private hospitals.”

“The NMMC will expand if we have surging number of cases as well as another hospital operated by Cagayan de Oro City, the JR Borja hospital,” Suba-an stressed.

“We made an arrangement. We have had scenario setting. We strategized. We have identified the ground floor of the OB building to be vacated if there is a surge of patients exclusively for COVID 19,” the director explained.

“Where will the OB cases go? We will refer them to JR Borja Hospital, adding, the referrals is already understood within and among the health personnel of two health facilities.”

Among the priorities of the health department, according to Dr. Suba-an is to protect health professionals and personnel. 

“We have to protect the health workers for us to sustain the delivery of quality health services because if the will be hit, that will give an impact to the delivery of health services,” Suba-an explained.

The other priority are the family members of those who are in close contact of COVID 19 positive case.

“The first COVID 19 case in region 10 implies that we are also vulnerable. That is why he said, the cooperation of all is needed,” Suba-an concluded. (JMOR/PIA10)