Pasilongan Center inaugurated; VSMMC defends one-watcher-per-patient policy

Local

PATIENT companions who once had to sleep on cardboard outside Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) will have a roof over their heads at night, with the Cebu Provincial Government opening a temporary shelter to address their lack of accommodation.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro led the inauguration of the Pasilongan Center on Monday, Oct. 26. The center is located on Don Mariano Street near Larsian, directly across from VSMMC.

The center will provide free overnight accommodation for patient watchers and companions who cannot stay inside the hospital because of its one-watcher-per-patient policy.

It has 40 beds and will operate from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily, starting Tuesday, October 27.

Each occupant will receive a sleeping kit containing a malong, pillow, mosquito net and bedsheets, with access to bathroom and toilet facilities.

The shelter will accept eligible companions, with priority given to residents of Cebu Province.

To qualify, companions must undergo an assessment by VSMMC staff.

The hospital will then refer qualified applicants to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), which will facilitate their admission and issue an official Watcher ID.

VSMMC medical center chief Dr. Gerardo M. Aquino Jr. attended the opening and thanked the provincial government for providing accommodation for patient companions, many of whom come from different towns and cities in Cebu.

Aquino defended the hospital's one-watcher policy, citing the need to prevent overcrowding and control the spread of infections inside patient care areas.

"When you are taking care of the patients, imoha pud tan-awon ang infection ba kanang sige ka pasulod gikan sa gawas. You can just imagine if you [have] 1,500 bed, so naa nakay 1,500 watcher, kung doblehon na nimong duha duna nakay 3,000, plus the empleyados," he said.

"Imbes ang pasyente magpahuway, mura og merkado. That is why I am also asking for their understanding," he added.

The Department of Health-run hospital enforces the policy under Hospital Order No. 2024-123, which limits bedside access to one screened and authorized watcher per patient to prevent overcrowding and maintain infection control.

VSMMC previously acknowledged the difficulties families face when they travel from Cebu and neighboring provinces to seek medical treatment for their loved ones, particularly when they have nowhere to stay overnight.

The hospital had earlier partnered with local government units to provide temporary accommodation and transportation for eligible watchers.

However, it discontinued the arrangement after some companions stopped using the designated shelters and scheduled transport.

VSMMC has said it remains open to coordinating with government and community partners to develop sustainable solutions for patient companions who need temporary accommodation.

The hospital is also constructing a new building with a ground-floor area intended for watchers and companions of patients in its Emergency Room.

It has yet to announce the building's expected completion date or the capacity of the planned area.

The Pasilongan Center provides an immediate accommodation option for patient companions while VSMMC continues to enforce its policy governing the number of watchers allowed inside the hospital.(MyTVCebu)