The scorn and diatribe hurled against decrepit equipment, poor management and legendary government bureaucracy of the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) Hemodialysis Unit (HDU) is now a thing of the past.
Fifteen new hemodialysis machines and chairs are now ready to serve more than 90 outpatients located in a spacious air-conditioned room designed to provide maximum comfort to patients undergoing dialysis treatment in the course of a typical grueling four-hour session.
Separately enclosed cubicles for dialysis patients with infections have been provided to avoid possible complications during sessions.
Hemodialysis is a type of dialysis treatment that uses an external machine and a special type of filter to remove excess waste products and water from the blood.
PATIENT FRIENDLY
Dr. Mutya Kismet T. Macuno, Medical Center Chief II of the GCGMH has set her goals in making dialysis sessions pleasant enough for patients by providing state-of-the-art dialysis machines manufactured by Fresinius, one of the leading dialysis companies in the world.
Trained professionals are available at all times for support and guidance with continued monitoring and supervision of the patients by the hospital HDU facility staff.
Macuno assured patients of readily available medical assistance in an emergency even as three sessions for outpatients can be handled daily with one session for admitted patients.
ADDITIONAL CAPACITY
The upgrading of the HDU machines from the previous 10 machines and chairs to the present 15 brand new machines and chairs increased the capacity of the HDU from 62 outpatients to 98 outpatients.
An average of 61 patients was accommodated in the HDU in 2017, according to the Hemodialysis Unit Census presented to the media by Macuno.
Based on a memorandum of agreement on the outsourcing of GCGMH hemodialysis outpatients, 18 patients are now undergoing dialysis at the Bohol Medical Care Institute and 38 at the Ramiro Community Hospital as of June 2018.
MASSIVE UPGRADE
GCGMH is now in the thick of a massive health facility enhancement program project support involving Php825 million worth of infrastructure, medical equipment that includes medical tourism equipment and an acute stroke unit.
The health facility enhancement program, according to Macuno is designed to serve an increasing number of patients recorded at more than 96,000 outpatients and accommodate 20,000 inpatients last year.
With an authorized bed capacity of only 225, GCGMH has an actually implemented bed capacity of 360 with a 16% increase in occupancy rate in 2017.
GCGMH was granted an ISO-9001 2015 QMS certified by TUV-Rheinland on December 2017.
Despite the sheer volume of patients streaming into the GCGMH, the 89-year-old hospital that was officially opened on October 18, 1929, as the Bohol Provincial Hospital and at present is designated as a Regional Teaching/Training Hospital has gained the reputation as “the best hospital to get sick.” (Chito M. Visarra)