The Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) on Thursday received P25 million to fund its high-pressure oxygen booster equipment.
The turnover was witnessed by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go during the distribution of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) at Tagum Eco Park in Tagum City.
The amount will help improve the hospital’s existing oxygen refilling machine by giving its supply under its control. This will also help it not become too dependent on third parties for supplies, especially when supplies run low.
Last month, DRMC issued an advisory informing the public that the hospital was facing a shortage of oxygen supply. The advisory stated that DRMC’s suppliers can no longer keep up with the hospital’s increasing demand for medical oxygen. Because of the shortage, DRMC advised all patients, Covid or non- Covid referred for admission requiring supplemental oxygen to seek medical attention at the nearest LGU healthcare facility in their areas.
Meanwhile, Go emphasized the importance of constructing the said station in the province to help address the shortage of oxygen in preparation for another surge of Covid-19.
Go also cited some of the health measures he has filed to improve the country’s healthcare system. These include SB 2158, which establishes the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention; SB 1803, or the e-Health System and Services Act of 2020, which aims to regulate the practice of telemedicine and e-Health, set the standards of practice, and implement a mechanism for individuals and entities providing e-Health services; and SB 1529, which seeks to require the establishment of quarantine facilities in every region in the country.
“The more we should invest ngayon sa ating healthcare. Ito po ang problema natin ngayon. It follows na po ‘yan lahat – ibig kong sabihin, ‘pag naging normal po ang sitwasyon natin sa pangkalusugan ay sunud-sunod na po ‘yan – ekonomiya, pagbukas ng ekonomiya, at pagbalik sa sigla ng ekonomiya, dagdag trabaho na, makabalik na po sa normal, na makapagtrabaho na po ‘yung ating mga kababayan,” he said.
On the other hand, the city government of Davao has allotted P11 million for the construction of an oxygen plant along with accessories and a warehouse. the plant is being eyed to be constructed in Maa, near the city slaughterhouse where a government property nearby is available.
The city has also separately allotted P12 million to purchase 1,000 oxygen tanks, along with regulators.
Both projects will be funded through Davao City Disaster Fund.
