LIM INSPECTS CCM ANNEX IN ESCOLTA

Following a complaint of a concerned student who wrote him about the sorry state of the City College of Manila annex building in Escolta, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim took with him key officials of the city to conduct an ocular inspection of the toilets and other facilities to ensure that they are kept in tip top shape for a better learning environment to students.

Lim brought with him Secretary to the Mayor, Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas, Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman, City Engineer Armando Andres, City Electrician Engr. Ernesto Cuyugan, City Health Officer, Dr. Marie Lorraine Sanchez and CCM’s Dean of Business Administration Elena Cernias.

A concerned student wrote the Mayor and submitted photos of the dilapidated and unhygienic state of the comfort rooms, which prompted the Mayor to immediately go to the site himself right after the department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meeting Monday morning.

In a dialogue that followed the inspection, Lim invited all the female students to Dean Cernias’ office and ordered them to use, for the meantime, the toilet of the dean, for emergency purposes, until such time that restoration work is completed within two weeks. He also asked his Secretary, Garayblas, concurrent president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, to check the conditions of all the toilets in the university.

This CCM building in Escolta, originally belonging to the Philippine National Bank, was built in 1995 and when the city took over it was converted into a school for poor but average students. The Mayor plans to rehabilitate the facilities of the school,  but the first priority must be the comfort rooms. 

During his meeting with the students, Lim recalled some success stories of former students who graduated at City College of Manila such as one who graduated cum laude in Criminology and placed 9th in the board. Another is lady who now works in a multinational company and tied the knot with a Singaporean businessman. Now she is supporting her parents and younger siblings in their studies. 

The lesson here is to study, study and study so that you will achieve your lofty goals in life. As the saying goes success comes with perseverance and hard work. “Kaya lahat kayo pagbutihan ninyo ang pag-aaral, there is time for everything. Your time now is to study hard,” he said.

OSPITAL NG TONDO GETS PLAQUE FROM DOH

Ospital ng Tondo Director Dr. Marlon Millares last Monday paid a call on Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to present to the Mayor the plaque of recognition it received from the Department of Health for its invaluable contribution to the anti paputok drive of DOH last December.

Millares said, Ospital ng Tondo was given the recognition last March 4,2010 by DOH during the recently- concluded Consultative Meeting of the Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Kontra Paputok at the City state Tower Hotel, Ermita.

Only three of 50 participating sentinel hospitals nationwide were awarded the recognition for their invaluable and dedicated support to the ONEISS-kontra Paputok of DOH.

Ospital ng Tondo and two other hospitals from Ilocos and Davao were the three recipients of the award were awarded for the first time since the fireworks Injuiry Surveillance was initiated in 1991 by the department.

The criteria for selecting the awards are: timeliness of reporting, accuracy of reports and completeness of reporting covering the period from December 21,2009 to January 5,2010.

During the period, Ospital ng Tondo registered the third most number of cases of fireworks injuiry (42 cases or seven percent of total) next only to Jose Reyes Medical Center and East Avenue Medical Center.

This record forms an integral part of DOH’s effort to intensiy the campaign of Oplan Iwas Paputok.

OSPITAL NG MAYNILA: WE DID EVERYTHING WE COULD FOR KAGAWAD MARTINEZ

Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center (OMMC) Director Dr. Isaias Cando on Monday said the hospital gave Kagawad Anselmo Martinez, 42, of Barangay 809 who was admitted in the facility last Feb. 21, 2010 for massive multiple gunshot wounds, did not miss any medical procedure for the patient, who died all the same from massive infection.

Cando was responding to a published report about OMMC  by kagawad Grace de Leon (wife of the barangay chairman but was mistakenly reported as barangay chairman in the report) claiming that the hospital did not give the proper medical attention and even asked them to buy tape and cotton for treating the patient, which is a “must-have in the hospital and of which our facility definitely have full supplies.”

Cando said the patient, due to extensive injuries, accompanied by acute blood loss and spillage of dirty bowel and urine into the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity, suffered from sepsis (massive infection) which had been the cause of his death.

In the report, de Leon even compared the administration of the hospital under Mayor Alfredo S. Lim with his predecessor, which Cando said is “obviously politically motivated on the part of de Leon.”

“The victim was brought into our institution at 9:15 pm with unstable vital signs. Physical examination revealed an entrance wound on the abdomen at the right lower quadrant with a possible exit wound on the left buttocks.  A lesion was noted on the left leg, thus was immediately brought to the operating room for abdominal cavity exploration. After evacuating about two (2) liters of blood (hemoperitoneum), they have noted several through and through perforations of the small intestines with bleeding of surrounding parts. The urinary bladder was also compromised as it was lacerated by the entrance of the bullet tract. And because of this, the stool (bowel contents) and the urine spilled inside the abdomen,” Cando explained.

“Repair of the different lesions were done with fairly good outcome. The patient’s vital signs were stabilized, however he was noted to be oliguric (no urine output).”

Dr. Cando said that the hospital did not miss any medical measures. “He was given antibiotics and supportive medications as evidenced by the patient availment form where the antibiotics and medications given amounted to PhP 12, 079.17 which clearly showed that the hospital spent for such, contrary to the allegation of kagawad de Leon.

HEALTH MAINTAINS MONITORING ON SUMMER DISEASES

The Manila Health Department (MHD), under City Health Superintendent Dra. Marie Lorraine Sanchez is closely monitoring summer diseases which has been increasing despite continuous immunization programs of the city.

The MHD noted increases in the numbers of measles cases in children despite the immunization program by the city’s health department.

Sanchez said despite the ongoing immunization program, there has been increases in summer diseases like mumps, measles,rubella, chicken pox and conjunctivitis.

In a recent report of the different health centers, there were about 22 cases of chicken pox that underwent treatment.

The MHD treated the patients with vitamin A and paracetamol for those with fever, antibiotics for children with upper respiratory infection.

Dra Sanchez advised children with infectious diseases to stay isolated to prevent cross infection before and after scabs show since these infectious diseases are airborne infection.

Sanchez vowed no let-up in the monitoring throughout the six health districts.

Philhealth Card Project Continues in Manila

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led the distribution of Philhealth Cards to some 1,000 selected residents of Districts I and II at the covered court of Bgy 154 Zone 14 together with Manila District of Social Welfare OIC Jay dela Fuente and Rochelle Ann San Pedro Philhealth’s Chief Social Insurance Officer, Manila Service Office.

The Philhealth Card project is part of the 11-point agenda of the Manila Health Care Program as additional health assistance for the indigent residents of Manila .

According to Dela Fuente, more than 26,000 Philhealth cards were distributed to Manilans in the city’s six districts for the year 2009 alone.

Lim who continues to prioritize health programs, informed the recipients that through Philhealth, the card holders will not be worried about expenses in hospitalization for both private and government hospitals such as rooms, medicines, x-rays, laboratories and professional fee because it is being covered by the Philhealth.

Surgeon and Anesthesiologist are also covered by Philhealth as well as ambulatory services and procedures including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and dialysis.

Philhealth card holders will not only benefit from Philhealth as well also as their legal spouses, children below 21 years old who are not married and unemployed and parents who are above 60 (not receiving pensions) can also benefit from the card holder of Philhealth.

Rid Manila Of Vices, Drugs, Piracy, and Garbage – LIM

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim together with Manila Police District (MPD) Director Rodolfo Magtibay Jr., led the ‘operation clean-up’ of the streets in Manila.

In a briefing before the cleaning, Lim told the group of Police officers and city officials present, that they should open up their minds on the criticisms which may be brought about by such operation.

“Maraming magre-react dito sa paglilinis na gagawin natin. meron diyan na magagalit. Yung mga vendors, kailangan na talagang tanggalin. May ordinansa tayo di ba? Kailangan 1×1 lang ang size ng pwesto nila at between 6pm to 9pm lang sila pwede magtinda. Yung iba kasi extended hanggang madaling araw, iniiwan pa yung mga pwesto nila na nakakalat.”, Lim explained.

“At yung mga bagsakan ng mga paninda tulad ng prutas at gulay, nakakarumi kasi yan pag naiwan yung mga kalat. Bakit di na lang gawing bagsakan yung sa Road 10 tutal maluwag don. At sabihan nyo ang mga may-ari ng tindahan na linisin nila ang mga tapat nila lalo na sa mga palengke. Kung hindi sila susunod, ipasara nyo. May patakaran tayo dito, kung di tayo gagamit ng kamay na bakal sa mga ito at puro salita lang tayo,hindi susunod ang mga iyan,” he further instructed.

“Pati mga illegal terminals at yung pinaparadahan ng mga bus na hindi dapat, alisin na iyan.”

Lim ordered them to accelerate the cleaning-up not only of the roads and streets from garbage and illegal vendors but also eliminate all the vices especially jueteng, as he promised the anti-gambling advocate Bishop Cruz that Manila does not and will never tolerate jueteng.

“Tell Col. Tendero to also remove and confiscate the pirated cd’s and dvd’s not only the pornographic. Kunin na lahat iyan, porno o hindi, illegal iyan dahil pirated,” Lim added.

“Basta paigtingin natin ang campaign agains vices, drugs, at lahat ng illegal. Walang malakas malakas.” he concluded and went out in Ongpin St. to start sweeping the stretch to Avenida using broomsticks and garbage disposals and fire hoses front fire volunteers and Manila Fire Department.

Ospital ng Maynila: Away in a manger…

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim started his Christmas Day morning with his gift-giving at the four (4) city-run hospitals in Manila. At 9:00 in the morning, he started his ‘Christmas rounds’ at Ospital ng Sampaloc, followed by Ospital ng Tondo, and Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC), where he visited each hospital ward and gave christmas gifts to the patients confined .

His last visit was the Ospital Ng Maynila where a special visit to the woman who delivered her twins last wednesday December 23, 2009.

The 30-year old woman Marilyn gave birth to twins succesfully according to Dr. Teodoro E. MArtin, Hospital Director of Ospital ng Maynila. After the couple from Las Pinas City went around nine (9) hospitals (public and private) in metro manila, they landed in Ospital ng Maynila where she was given immediate care and medical attention.

“We were in a restaurant with Mayor Lim after the misa de gallo until Mr. Taruc (DZRH) called the Mayor and informed him of the situation. Their relative from Bicol called the radio station crying because Marilyn and Leonardo had been declined and refused by already nine hospitals from Las Pinas, Quezon City, San Juan, and even in Sta. Cruz Manila. After the phone call, Mayor Lim immediately tasked me to get the woman in an ambulance and we brought her to Ospital ng Maynila, where we had her checked.”

“There were no referrals from the hospitals where they went to. They said it’s because the case is delicate and dangerous and they are not well-equipped in case the children would need respirators and other medical equipment.” Martin explained.

 “After ultrasound and other medical laboratories, we found out that she was about to deliver twins, and one is in a breech presentation, where the legs are oriented to come out first, so she underwent caesarian delivery. She’s only 31 weeks so premature.”

“It’s her 4th pregnancy so she has 5 children now. The babies are in good condition, in fact they are for discharge today, they are just waiting for the father of the babies.”

 “Mayor Lim’s policy is free hospital for all. And we don’t choose our patients. Even if you are not from Manila, patients are always welcome and we will not have second thoughts about giving them treatment. And even in dangerous cases, we check them first to see what emergency measures we can do. We cannot send them away.” Martin added.

Mother Marilyn was so thankful to Dr. Martin and Mayor Lim when Lim visited her in her room.

“I think they will name the twins Joe and Fred,” Martin said in a jest referring to Joe Taruc and Mayor Fred Lim who ended the painful saga of the couple.

On one hand, Mayor lim reiterated immediate medical attention and free hospitalization for poor patients not only Manilans but for those who need medical help from anywhere in the country.

 ” I always tell the directors and doctors of all the 5 city-run hospitals to make sure that all patients who seek medical treatment will be given proper attention. And whether they are from Manila or elsewhere, if they seek and need to be hospitalized, accept them. Don’t think twice. If they cannot accomodate, make sure they will be brought to other available hospitals in an ambulance and they must bring them themselves if possible.” Lim said.

Manila has currently five city-run hospitals offering free hospitalization. Ospital ng Maynila, Ospital ng Tondo, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Jose Abad Santos Mother and Child Hospital, and soonest on February 2010, the 6th city-run hospital in Sta. Ana will also be opened. All of these have been provided with 150,000 peso-revolving fund to cater to the needs of the patients as to medicines and emergency necessities.

NEWLY-RENOVATED OSPITAL NG TONDO BLESSED

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim cut the ribbon and unveiled the marker of the newly-renovated Ospital ng Tondo, a four-storey hospital that has a laboratory, pharmacy, pediatrics, ophthalmology, medicine, surgery, OB-gynecology, x-ray and radiology department, emergency and admitting sections at the ground floor with wards on the second and third floors.

With the Mayor at the hospital blessing were: Councilor Carlo Lopez of District 2, candidates for councilor chairwoman Baby Guttierez, Ruben Bunag, Rod Lacsamana, Ramon Robles, doctors, nurses, hospital staffs, department heads and barangay officials.

The blessing was officiated by Msgr. Cesar Pagulayan of San Jose Parish Priest. Dr. Marlon Millares said the 15-year old hospital was improved and expanded on orders of Mayor Lim for the benefit of its constituents.

It was Mayor Lim who built the hospital and he also now improved it to provide better room and services to the people of the second district. “Our only payback to Mayor Lim is to support his re-election,” he said.

“This hospital was built to provide you proper health care especially at times when your health fails you. I gave each hospital in the city a revolving fund of P150,000 a month so that all improvements and medical needs and supplies can be purchased without having to go through the city hall’s requisition process”, Mayor Lim said.

He said the hospital staff has no excuse to say they run out of medicines and medical supplies because they can buy what they need anytime. Lim said healthcare is his top priority in governance.

“I keep telling the doctors to give their best services to the people, especially the poor,” Lim said. After his short message, the Mayor led the distribution of gifts to 150 outpatient and in-patients of the Ospital ng Tondo.