DONATIONS. Staff from the office of Senator Bong Go facilitate the turnover of medical equipment and supplies from private sector to JR Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) in Cagayan de Oro City on June 25, 2020. The JRBGH received a unit of ultrasound machine from Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., 2,000 face masks and 10 thermal scanners from other private donors. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Through the efforts of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and his office, the JR Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) in Cagayan de Oro City received medical equipment and supply donations on June 25.
The office of the senator from Davao City facilitated the turnover of a unit of ultrasound machine donated by Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., as well as various donations from the private sector, such as 2,000 pieces of face masks and 10 pieces of thermal scanners to further equip JRBGH in its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Today, we turn over these donations to your institution with the confidence that this will help you in diagnosing and treating your patients, no matter what their condition is,” Go said in his speech delivered by a representative during the turnover ceremony.
Go’s staff also distributed 200 food packs to front-liners and staff of JRBGH, such as doctors, nurses, nursing attendants, ward personnel, utility workers, drivers, security and Malasakit Center staff.
“In the middle of this global health crisis, we owe our immense gratitude to you, dear health professionals for tending to the sick, risking your lives in the process,” Go said. “Hindi biro ang inyong trabaho. Sa kabila ng mga panganib ng inyong propesyon, patuloy pa rin kayong lumalaban para sa inyong mga kapwa Pilipino. Saludo kaming lahat sa inyo (Your job is difficult. Despite the risks, you kept on serving our countrymen. We salute you).”
Go thanked the private donors for their generosity and for trusting him and his office to facilitate distribution and turnover to hospitals that need help the most.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. sa kanilang donasyon at sa pagpapatuloy ng kanilang bayanihan at pakikipagtulungan sa ating kapwa Pilipino (We would like to thank Shell Foundation, Inc. for their donation and their heroic acts of helping our fellow Filipinos),” he said.
JRBGH acting chief Dr. Ramon Nery said Go has been helping JRBGH in its endeavor to provide better healthcare services to constituents.
Nery said that through the Malasakit Center, which opened in JRBGH last October 9, 2019, over 4,500 patients have already been given support through the one-stop shop where Filipinos can easily avail medical and financial assistance from concerned government agencies.
With the donations, JRBGH will be able to provide better healthcare services to more Filipinos, according to the hospital chief.
“Malaking tulong talaga lalung-lalo na ngayon na mayroon na naman tayong problema sa Covid-19. Malaki ang ating pag-asa na maiangat ang antas ng serbisyo. Hindi na rin po kami kailangan magre-refer pa sa iba kung nangangailangan ng ultrasound ang pasyente (It’s a huge help especially now that we have Covid-19 problem. We are confident that we can level up our services. We need not to refer patients who need ultrasound),” Nery said.
The city government-run hospital is one of the facilities tasked to serve as an alternate hospital in CDO City in case a surge of Covid-19 cases occurs in the region.
JRBGH has been helping decongest Northern Mindanao Medical Center, allowing the latter to focus on treating Covid-19 patients as the main referral hospital for the disease cases in the city.
To do this, JRBGH has set up two fully air-conditioned tents to make it easier for health workers to examine patients and assess cases, adding a layer of protection for the hospital by preventing exposure of front-liners and patients to the deadly virus.
“In the near future na magiging Level II na kami, rest assured na ang pagbibigay namin ng serbisyo ay para sa mga nangangailangan hindi lamang dito sa CDO kundi sa mga karatig pook sapagkat po ang JRBGH ay tumutulong na rin doon sa mga pasyente ng probinsya at iba pang lugar sa Northern Mindanao (when we reach Level 2, rest assured that we can give services not only for CDO but for patients from neighboring areas because JRBGH also help patients from other provinces in Northern Mindanao),” Nery added.
Nery also hopes that Go can visit the facility soon to witness the success of the Malasakit Center program.
“Despite of all the problems, you (Go) are able to continue delivering services because of the very successful national and local health programs at ngayon eto yung (and now this is) Malasakit Center,” Nery said.
Meanwhile, Go continues to remind the public to remain vigilant, especially with the lack of vaccine for Covid-19.
He also assured that he will continue to support hospitals and health facilities to further improve their services amid the ongoing pandemic.
“Hindi pa po tapos ang ating laban sa Covid-19 na pandemya. Patuloy po kaming andito sa inyong tabi, handang tumulong sa inyo kung ano man ang inyong kailangan (Our fight against Covid-19 pandemic is not over yet. We are here ready to give assistance to those who are in need),” Go said.
Go's office, with the help of private sector supporters, also facilitated the turnover of private donations of medical supplies, such as personnel protective equipment, masks, alcohol, etc. to various hospitals and front-liners in Davao Region and the rest of Mindanao. (PR)
