The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has provided assistance for the repair of defective ventilator machines from both government and private hospitals in Northern Mindanao in an effort to strengthen the government’s fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” de la Peña reported Friday, Feb. 26, that DOST-X has assisted in the repair of ventilator machines and provided Sample Collection Booth (SCB) to Region 10 hospitals.
"As of February 22, 2021, a total of fifteen (15) units are now functional and readily available for use of patients with severe pneumonia brought about by COVID-19,” he said during his weekly report.
Among those hospitals that benefitted from the DOST-X’s aid were the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center in Malaybalay City, Cagayan de Oro Medical Center, J R. Borja General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City, Saint Joseph Southern Bukidnon Hospital Inc. in Maramag, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital, Amai Pak-Pak Medical Center, and Misamis University Medical Center.
Misamis University Medical Center got four repaired units, while the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center was the recipient of three repaired units.
Cagayan de Oro Medical Center, Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital, and Amai Pak-Pak Medical Center secured two units of repaired ventilator machines each.
Saint Joseph Southern Bukidnon Hospital Inc. and J R. Borja General Hospital got one unit each.
De la Peña said according to the baseline information provided by the Department of Health (DOH)- 10, there were a total of 30 defective mechanical ventilators from both the private and government hospitals in the five provinces.
"These units needed immediate repair considering the number of rising COVID-19 cases in Region 10.”
He said it was the DOST-Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (RSTL) -10 that facilitated the repairs of 15 ventilators as an emergency service during the pandemic.
"With this response, hospitals would be able to provide the needed services specifically for the COVID-19 patients with severe cases in Northern Mindanao,” the DOST chief said.
He also reported that on Feb. 10, 2021, the DOST-X donated one unit of SCB to DOH- Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (TRC) which was used immediately for their patients' initial screening before admission to the health facility.