Gov. Raul Mabanglo dismayed over DDOPH Montevista’s poor service, eager to provide immediate solutions with Cong. Maricar Zamora-Mabanglo

Governor Raul Mabanglo and First District Congresswoman Maricar Zamora-Mabanglo became emotional during their visit to Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital (DDOPH) in Montevista yesterday, as they inspected of the facilities to further their commitment to improving the delivery of healthcare services to the public.

The two officials witnessed firsthand the poor state of the patients who suffered from lack of proper facilities and unfinished infrastructure.  

“Imbes nga maayo ang pasyente basin musamot pa ang sakit dinhi.”

(“Instead of getting better, patients might get worse.”), he stated.

The couple was already planning the changes for the hospital. In fact, the congressional office had allocated budget for the beautification of the hospital even before the said visit.

Gov. Mabanglo expressed his disappointment as patients were forced to occupy the pathways from the unfinished second floor to the first floor. Even the ward exceeded its maximum capacity due to high volume of admitted patients. The construction of the unfinished ward supposedly started in 2023.

Both the Governor and the Congresswoman were compelled to revise their existing plan due to the current situation in the hospital.

The original plan was to work with DPWH and the Provincial Engineer’s Office to continue the construction of the second floor ward which would alleviate the patients and watchers’ sorry condition. Gov. Mabanglo and his wife Cong. Maricar noticed that watchers had no choice but to stay on the overpass to rest as the hospital was unbearably hot.

No proper ventilation, no water in restrooms, and dilapidated laboratories and facade areas greeted the couple as they further investigated the true state of the hospital.

What made the visit worse was the fact that even the basic medicines such as paracetamol were not provided by the hospital, instead patients needed to buy them from the pharmacy across.

“Adto gyud namo paliton tanan sa gawas ang mga tambal sir, apil pa man gani ang gapas sa among resita.”

(“We buy our medicines outside including cotton as part of our prescription.”), said one of the watchers.

Due to identified problems, the governor and the congresswoman vowed to fast track the repair of the hospital facilities.

The governor reminded the hospital staff to serve the people with utmost patience and quality.

“Bisan nagpait pa ang mga pasyente, kung maot pa gyud ang batasan sa mga empleyado—doble ang ilang kalamidad nga mahiaguman sulod sa atong hospital.”

(“The patients are already suffering and if our disposition as public servants is unpleasant, they will endure more inside our hospital.”), he added.

The governor promised that there would be changes especially since healthcare is one of his top priorities.

Photos by: Albert Dayao/ PAO-IPRD