Typhoon “Odette” caused structural damages to five Negros Occidental provincial government-run hospitals and the Paglaum Sports Complex grandstand, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Tuesday, January 4.
Damaged were the Merceditas Montilla District Hospital in Sipalay City, Eleuterio T. Decena Memorial Hospital in Hinoba-an, Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid, Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial District Hospital in Himamaylan City, and the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
The Sipalay City hospital was the worst hit and the Government Service Insurance System adjusters are going to the area to appraise the damage so that insurance payment can be made, Diaz said.
The hospital is still operating but its roofing and some other areas were damaged by the typhoon, he said.
The Himamaylan hospital’s dormitory roof was destroyed and it has also been suffering from voltage fluctuations that have damaged equipment, he said.
The hospital has been directed to use its generator to ensure stable power supply to protect its equipment, Diaz said.
The operating room of the Valladolid hospital was damaged when a big tree fell on it. The roofs of the hospitals in Hinoba-an and Silay City were also damaged by the typhoon, he added.
The ground floor of the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City had to be flushed by firemen to remove the stench caused by the flooding, but it did not sustain structural damage, he said.
Personnel of the Provincial Engineer’s Office have been directed to inspect the Paglaum Sports Complex grandstand in Bacolod City to determine if its damaged roof and rafters need to be demolished.
“We have to ensure that the damaged structure does not harm anyone,” Diaz said.
Meanwhile, he said renovation of the 100-bed Cadiz District Hospital annex has been completed, they are just waiting for it to be energized.
The annex will be used for regular patients and the 93-bed main section of the hospital will remain a COVID-19 facility, he said.
However, on Tuesday the facility only had one COVID-19 patient, he said.*