Divisions among political leaders, doctors hampering COVID-19 fight in Cebu City –Galvez

“Divisions” among political leaders and even doctors in Cebu City are affecting the direction the city is taking in its battle against the COVID-19, the chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said.

According to a report by Ian Cruz on “24 Oras,” Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. appealed to the city’s political leaders to set aside their difference and work toward a common direction in dealing with the pandemic.

“There is yung tinatawag nating division, nakikita natin, and this is my call to everyone:  Yung mga doktor hindi nagkakaisa, yung mga politiko hindi sila nagkakaisa.  Isantabi muna natin yung politika,” Galvez added.

Cebu City was brought back to the stricter enhanced community quarantine due to the spike in number of COVID-19 cases in the city.  The Department of Health also earlier said the four major hospitals in the city are “nearing critical point” in terms of resources like isolation beds, intensive care unit rooms and mechanical ventilators.

Gavez hailed the move of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, the overseer of COVID-19 response in the city, to try to unite all local leaders by gathering and talking to the city’s some 80 barangay chairmen.

The setting up of the NOAH Center along the South Road Properties will provide a command center on actions related to COVID-19.

The New Normal Oasis for Adaptation and a Home (NOAH) will serve as the city’s isolation center for asymptomatic and mild patients.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, Word Health Organization representative to the Philippines, noted issues about the people’s compliance with health protocols in Cebu City.

“It becomes clear that compliance with quarantining guidelines and procedures were not optimum in Cebu. It becomes clear there has been some degree of stigma and people refusing to get tested, to practice isolation and quarantining, and all of these issues have contributed to increased transmission,” he said.

As of July 3, cebu City has a total of 5,824 COVID-19 cases, the report said.—LDF, GMA News