The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to expand the healthcare service capacity for COVID-19 treatment in Zamboanga City.
Secretary and Chief Isolation Czar Mark Villar said that he has instructed Undersecretary and DPWH Task Force to Facilitate Augmentation of Local/Health Facility Head Emil Sadain to identify the site where a modular hospital can be put up in order to provide additional beds space for patients’ medical needs.
“Preparatory plans and the proposed concept design were discussed with officials of the Mindanao Central Sanitarium Hospital.”
In his report to Villar, Sadain said that preparatory plans and proposed concept design were discussed with Dr. Hannah Rojas-Turco, Chief of Hospital II of the Mindanao Central Sanitarium (MCS) Hospital during their meeting held in Zamboanga City.
“The plan is to put up one unit of modular hospital with a total of 22 beds for moderate and severe COVID-19 cases and a 16-room dormitory for 32 health workers,” he said.
Sadain shared that Turco expressed excitement at the DPWH plan to build an off-site hospital within their compound in Pasobolong, Zamboanga City as COVID-19 cases continue to swell and threaten to overwhelm Zamboanga’s health system.
“Check the possibility of constructing a modular hospital made of prefabricated components.”
Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega and Assistant Secretary Romy Ong earlier recommended to Sadain to check the possibility of constructing a modular hospital made of prefabricated components at MCS Hospital to augment Zamboanga City’s health facilities.
In order to stop the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, Zamboanga City reverted to a stricter restriction level of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine effective May 8.
DPWH has earlier turnover to Zamboanga City LGU two tent facilities with 20 beds.
The facilities are equipped with air conditioner units, adequate lighting and ventilation, uninterrupted electricity supply, potable water source and sewer line for the isolation of positive cases who are asymptomatic to arrest local transmission.
The DPWH is also rushing the conversion of the old Zamboanga Convention Center in Pasonanca, Zamboanga City into isolation/quarantine facility with a total capacity of 180 beds.