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Lack of supplies forces Calamba hospital to use water bottles as oxygen hoods


A government district hospital in Calamba, Laguna has resorted to using disposable mineral water containers as improvised oxygen hoods in the pediatric ward due to lack of supplies.

According to a report by Saleema Refran in GMA's 24 Oras on Monday, the oxygen hose was connected to the halved plastic water containers.

Three babies were seen using the improvised breathing apparatus in the Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital. They were confined in the hospital due to pneumonia, multiple congenital anomaly, and severe dehydration.

Despite the criticism of some netizens after a photo of the improvised oxygen hood went viral, the hospital doctors said that these actually saved lives.

"'Yung time na pong 'yun kasi po dumagsa po 'yung pasyente so 'yung stock po natin na available eh naubos po, so kinailangan po namin mag-decide po na gumawa po tayo ng improvised oxygen hood para po maibigay natin 'yung tama pong oxygen doon sa mga bata," said Dr. Arnold Cruz, pediatrician on duty.

The parents of some patients were also grateful because the hospital found a way to address the need of their babies.

"Kasi dito sa ospital na ito ma'am kahit sabihin na natin kulang sa mga oxygen kagaya ng oxygen na yan nagagawan pa rin nila ng paraan," said mother Tina Tolentino.

"Nakakatulong din naman po siya kay baby para hindi po nangingitim," added Marjorie Canaco, another mom.

Local authorities said that the district hospital has enough funds to procure oxygen hoods but supplies easily ran out due to outbreaks.

"May supplies at may gamot ang ating mga ospital kaya kung meron mang pagkaka-ubusan sa ngayon, nagkaka-ubusan dahil nga po sa mga outbreak," said Laguna information officer Christopher Sanji.

The head of the Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital said that there are some delays in the delivery of medical supplies.

"Syempre nauubusan po tayo ng mga supply... tulad po sa ngayon medyo nasa alanganing oras tayo kasi nasa 3rd and 4th quarter na po tayo so ang iba pong mga supply ay pag minsan ay hindi pa dumarating," said Dr. Ignacia Flores.

Last year, a district hospital in Pampanga also used the same improvised oxygen hood for a newborn child whose incubator broke down. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News

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