Cracks in WVMC OB-ward lead to 'evacuation' of patients
Hospital staff and folks of patients at the Obstetrics Ward (OB-WARD) of the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao helped with 'evacuation' efforts yesterday.
This, as some 93 newborn babies and the mothers were transferred from the OB-WARD to the hallway following safety concerns on the hospital building.
Albeit only a 30-bed capacity, the WVMC's OB-WARD has since accommodated patients beyond its ideal number with one hospital bed shared by up to six newborn babies.
Yesterday saw an orderly 'evacuation' with hospital officials present.
An engineer called by Dr. Jose Fermin, hospital director, told reporters present that "structurally-speaking," the building is still safe and sound. The transfer of the patients and the babies were effected though as concrete slabs were seen to have been dislodged.
Built in the 80s, Dr. Fermin told ABS-CBN's Gemma Villanueva that no major repairs were done as of yet on the OB-WARD. For the meantime though, Dr. Fermin said the 'evacuated' group will be housed in the Ortho-Ward of the WVMC.
"No disruption of services," Dr. Fermin assured as he allayed fears raised on the over-all condition of the hospital building.