Cadiz hospital relocates patients after 6.9-quake damages upper floors
RESCUERS check for damages at Cadiz District Hospital in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental after the 6.9-tremor on Tuesday night, Sept. 30. (Cadiz DRRMO)
BACOLOD CITY - Three floors of the Cadiz District Hospital in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental sustained damage in the magnitude-6.9 earthquake on Sept. 30.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan, in a media interview Thursday, said that 113 patients were evacuated to the ground floor as a precaution.
She said the evacuation was conducted smoothly as health personnel were disaster-trained, ready, and have contingency plans.
Pinongan said that half of the evacuated patients came from third to fifth floors currently unsafe for occupancy due to the broken windows that need repairs.
“Our top priority is the safety of both our patients and staff,” she added.
Many of those from the affected floors have been transferred to a nearby building used as Covid-19 facility.
Pinongan could not tell how long would it take to repair affected floors.
She said that no other hospitals owned by the provincial government reported any significant damage.
Pinongan noted that the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City suffered only minor cracks but is still operational and safe.
She said that government-run hospital facilities in the province are ready in times of calamities and disasters.