CEBU CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas, in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), has strengthened its Health Line inquiry service, where the public can call before going to the hospitals in Cebu.
Those who are experiencing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) symptoms or other ailments can call the DOH-Central Visayas emergency numbers 411-6900 and 09672219120.
In a statement on Wednesday, DOH-7 Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas urged the public to utilize the health line before going to the hospitals.
The emergency health line will allow the public to inquire about health-related services or emergencies needing referral and coordination.
This service is especially helpful in the recent situation in Metro Cebu, where the Covid-19 cases are experiencing a surge, Bernadas said.
The health line service would provide guidance on which hospital the patients could go to for consultation and treatment.
"The role of our One Hospital Command or the Health Line is very critical. We urge the people to call these numbers so they’ll be guided which hospitals and emergency rooms have vacancies,” Bernadas said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
In a recent meeting with OPAV Undersecretary Jonji Gonzales, DOH-7 promised to accommodate all concerns of the calls received through the health line.
The DOH-7’s 24/7 emergency health line was first launched in August of 2020 with the help of OPAV to aid both the public and hospitals in emergencies during the pandemic.
Currently, the health line is open to serve areas within Metro Cebu and Cebu province as part of their pilot areas.
Bernadas assured the public that they have enough agents who can take the phone calls 24 hours and seven days a week. (PNA)
