March 29, 2024

The chief of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center has lauded frontliners of the hospital while assuring the health facility will continue to cater to patients infected by the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19).

BGHMC Chief Ricardo Ruñez, Jr. has expressed appreciation to all the hospital workers who are diligently fulfilling their responsibilities despite the risks and other challenges they may be facing.

Aside from the doctors and nurses who are in direct contact with the Covid-19 patients, Ruñez thanked the hospital’s security guards, drivers, engineers, dietary personnel, nursing attendants, medical technologists and radiology technicians, and administrative and finance personnel who have been working round the clock in making sure that operations of BGHMC are unhampered.

Kayo ang tunay na bayani ng ating ospital. Despite the fact that we are faced with very difficult circumstances at work, we chose to continue serving, notwithstanding concerns on the safety of our family. Nakakatuwang makita ang pagtutulungan at bihira tayong makarinig ng reklamo at nakikita natin ang sinserong pasasalamat ng mga pasyenteng ating ginamot,” Ruñez said in his message to the employees shared via BGHMC’s Facebook page.

“Seldom in the history of BGHMC have we faced such a pandemic, but I can see in your faces the determination to overcome this challenge.”

Ruñez added BGHMC will also continue procuring additional personal protective equipment for the frontliners as he asked the employees to continue fulfilling their mandates.

“My fellow workers at BGH, we are being looked upon by the city and our neighboring areas to take the lead in fighting this pandemic. Patuloy po tayong makikipag-ugnayan sa mga lokal na opisyal para makapagbigay ng wastong impormasyon at abiso,” he said.

Ruñez added BGHMC will continue upgrading its capabilities, especially since the hospital has been designated as a Covid-19 referral facility by the Department of Health.

He said BGHMC managed to squeeze its resources and has purchased additional ventilators, ICU beds, cardiac monitors, portable X-rays, and suctions machines, among other equipment that will be used to cater to Covid-19 patients.

Since March 17, Ruñez said BGHMC’s molecular laboratory staff personnel have also been working double time, testing for Covid-19 cases.

Halos hindi na umuuwi ang ating med-techs dahil tatlong rehiyon ang sakop ng ating testing,” he said.

BHGMC was designated by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine as one of the five sub-national testing centers for the Covid-19 in the country. As such, it tests samples not only from the Cordillera, but also from regions 1 and 2.

From 150 tests per day, BGHMC’s lone polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine is testing an average of 300 samples a day. The national government also wants the hospital to increase the average sample testing to 700 per day. There were additional PCR machines delivered to the hospital, but are yet to be installed for them to be fully functional.

Ruñez said BGHMC and its personnel will continue doing its part to win the battle against the Covid-19.

“We will continue to provide significant contribution (to win this war). To the employees, let us continue living up to the purpose of our existence; to be of service to those who need us most. Now is the opportune time to show love and compassion. With God in control, we will prevail over this virus.” – Jane B. Cadalig