More signatures up in oust moves vs BOR prexy, local doctor
Sentiments ran high as signatures continue to add up in the petition passed around the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) community calling for the ouster of the highest official of the center's governing body, the Board of Regents (BOR).
Same petition that over the weekend also got an added boost as it moved to un-welcome a physician, Louie Tirador. The reasons as stated by the signatories, all workers of the hospital and members of the medical staff stemmed from the controversies now hounding the WVSUMC administration.
In a report, The News Today (TNT) gathered from hospital insiders that efforts in support of the petition were further bolstered by more regular employees, physicians and hospital interns and residents.
The issues as faced by the WVSUMC focused on alleged irregularities in the approved acquisition of hospital equipment. Complaints are up against Tirador for his role in drumming up media 'attack' that primarily targeted hospital director, Dr. Ramon Guerra.
"We condemn the act of Dr. Louie Tirador who publicly and unfairly declared that there were irregularities in the acquisition of these equipment. Contrary to his claim that he is after the well-being of the public, his actions portray otherwise. Based on how he played it out with the media, we have the impression that he has no trust and confidence with this institution and is after the ouster of our Hospital Director, Such action does not merit his continued association with the hospital," the group averred.
The call for the ouster of BOR chairman Luningning Umar, on the other hand, was made amidst recent political intervention seen by the WVSUMC community as having compromised Umar's position.
"We are saddened with how politics came into the picture exerting its influence and creating further chaos. We do not want the Board of Regents, a conglomeration of respected and noble people to be dictated by anybody whose intention is against the welfare of the people," the petition went while adding that as such, Umar "is incapable of a position of such distinction by allowing herself to be used and influenced by someone whose self interest is over and above the interest of the public whom he has supposedly chosen to serve."
While no specifics were mentioned in the petition, TNT learned that it was Fourth District Ferjinel Biron who made the call to Umar in a recent BOR meeting. The group present in said meeting were told of Biron's message that reportedly "promised" of a congressional probe should the hospital push through with the planned acquisition.
One move that longtime hospital workers condemned saying it would have been best if an offer was made to help them procure the equipment rather than delay something that the hospital has long needed if only to upgrade its services.
"Sin-o bala ang mga pasyente namon diri kay kalabanan mga pigado? Mayo man na kung sa sinagi nila ka reklamo sila abi maghulag agud mahatagan kami diri sang dugang nga bulig. Minilyon man bala ila pork barrel," one veteran hospital worker said.
In yet another petition of support, over four hundred signatories stated continued full trust on Guerra saying he was instrumental in making the center the "leading medical and health related training institution and health care provider in the Visayas and Mindanao."
"We know for a fact that in its 21 years of existence, the WVSU Medical Center has never been more progressive than it is now. Less than a year ago, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was established followed by the Newborn Screening Center. This year we are awaiting for the opening of the Out-Patient Department (OPD) complex and the C-Up. Along with these,the hospital is upgrading its equipment not only to be competitive with other hospitals but also to provide better facilities for its clients, the community and trainees," excerpts of the pro-Guerra petition stated. "We the employees of this institution are witnesses as he worked tirelessly and unselfishly for this aim."