VACCINATED. Dr. Joselito Villaruz, president of the West Visayas State University (WVSU) and Dr. Dave Endel Gelito III, WVSU Medical Center chief, receive their Sinovac shots during the ceremonial vaccination held at the WVSUMC gymnasium on Monday (March 8, 2021). Both medical doctors urged their fellow health workers to avail of the vaccines for protection. (PNA photo by PGLena)
ILOILO CITY – A journey towards “normalcy” has started with the availability of the vaccine to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the people can almost claim that they “are about to see the sunrise”.
This was the message of Dr. Joselito Villaruz, president of the West Visayas State University (WVSU) system, as the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) rolled out its vaccination on Monday.
“The development of the vaccine has been considered as man’s greatest discovery which has saved innumerable lives in the history of mankind. This new development is once again a testament that science research and medicine will be our only weapons to ensure human survival,” he said.
Villaruz joined other medical doctors in calling for the eligible population to get inoculated.
“Each one of us must be inoculated. This is the only way. We cannot wait any longer, for today is one golden opportunity that we wouldn’t want to miss. If we are to survive this generation, we must stand united and strong. Keep the negativities and politics behind. We will do this because we love ourselves, our families, and our community,” he said.
WVSUMC officer-in-charge Dr. Dave Endel Gelito III, in his message, said that they have been gifted with “something more than a mask, PPE (personal protective equipment)”. What was given, he said, was a chance to get protected from the virus and “regain freedom from the shackles of Covid-19”.
“As I receive my first dose of Sinovac, I would like to appeal to more of my fellow healthcare workers to avail of this vaccine. With the recent surges in Manila and Cebu, I believe the earlier we get protection, the better for all of us,” he said.
Apart from the WVSUMC, three other Covid-19 referral hospitals in Iloilo namely Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital (IDH) and the Iloilo St. Paul’s Hospital also started their vaccination.
On Friday, 18 boxes or more or less 6,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccines arrived in Iloilo. Hours after the arrival, the Iloilo St. Paul’s Hospital held its ceremonial vaccination in preparation for Monday's rollout.
Onboard to monitor the inoculation were members of the Western Visayas Regional Vaccine Operations Center (RVOC) for Covid-19 chaired by Director Emilia P. Monicimpo of the Department of Health and Civil Defense Western Visayas Director Jose Roberto Nuñez who is in charge of the logistics.
Monicimpo, in her message, urged health workers to “grab the opportunity” because other hospitals are waiting to also have their allocation.
“I hope you can increase the number of recipients so we can also cater to others interested to receive Sinovac. The best vaccine right now is the vaccine that is available,” she said.
As of Monday, the hospital targets to cover 163 of its 687 workers who agreed to be vaccinated. (PNA)
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