The city government of Baguio, together with four major hospitals in the city, has partnered to run the revived Sto. Niño Hospital to cater to Covid-19 patients.
Dr. Paul Quitiquit, chief of Saint Louis University Hospital of Sacred Heart, said they are currently working on the paperworks and further improvements of the hospital.
“It’s the city that will operate and it will be joined by the four hospitals particularly SLU, Pines City Doctors Hospital, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, and Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital,” said Quitiquit, who will head the operations of the revived hospital.
Located at Lower P. Burgos St., the Sto. Niño Hospital is being eyed to fully operate on May 11 as part of the offsite care center in the city.
The health facility had its blessing rites on April 17.
Quitiquit said the hospital can accommodate 50 patients but it could go higher as needed, adding the facility can already accommodate Covid-19 affected patients once the Lindi Hotel along Legarda Road is in full capacity.
The management of the hotel earlier offered its help for the establishment to be used as quarantine center for suspected Covid-19 patients with symptoms and probable Covid-19 patients to help the city augment its resources in managing the pandemic.
“The hospital will cater to probable and suspected coronavirus disease cases who are in stable condition. Those who need hospitalization will still need to go to the hospital,” he said.
Quitiquit said it is also part of the plan to set up a dialysis machine in the hospital but they are still working on the documents such as accreditation from the Department of Health central office and license to operate.
Dr. Willy Occidental, the appointed administrator of Sto. Niño Hospital, said the city government would fund the hospital, which will be manned by around 30 personnel to be hired by the city government.
“We are hoping that this facility will not be used but if ever there would be more cases, then we would be setting up more equipment like ECG monitor, ventilators, X-ray machines, and dialysis machines,” Occidental said.
He said the facility could be used as long as it is needed at no cost to the city based on the initial agreement with the property owners. – Ofelia C. Empian
