By Eddie Barrita
CEBU CITY, (PNA) — A newly-formed group of Cebuano professionals in the medical, business and academic sector are supporting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s plan to build a new and modern 1,000-bed city-government-run hospital here.
Rama earlier odered the demolition of the 300-bed Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) on N. Bacalso Avenue after it sustained extensive damage from the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last Oct. 15, which structural engineers have declared as ‘unsafe’ for occupancy.
Patients admitted at the CCMC were evacuated and temporarily housed at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) building across it.
Rama wants to build the new CCMC, estimated to cost P1.5 billion, on the 1.2-hectare city-owned lot where the old hospital now stands.
But the Championing the Advancement, Restoration and Establishment of the CCMC Movement (CCMC Care)advised Mayor Rama to sell the lot and look for a bigger lot for the new health facility.
Dr. Shawn Espina, lead convenor of the movement, told Rama in a letter that the lot where the CCMC sits on N. Bacalso Ave. can be sold for at least P500 million.
The proceeds from the sale can be used for the construction of a new city hospital, Espina said.
Espina said CCMC Care will help the city government look for additional funds for the project.
Espina said the movement opened a bank account under the Gift of Life Foundation of the Rotary Club of Cebu West to be able to accept donations.
Espina said the city would need at least three hectares for the new hospital.
“The location of the current CCMC is very crowded. We believe that we need to find a more suitable location to be able to handle a 1,000-bed facility with ample parking space for everyone,” Espina said.
Espina also raised the need for a feasibility study, which will also determine a suitable site for the new hospital, among others.