December 31, 2020
Gauden-Joe Sumayod
MCGI and UNTV Open WHO-Certified Covid-19 Health Facility in PH
The Members Church of God International (MCGI) inaugurated on October 5, 2020 a state-of-the-art Health Facility in Malolos City, Bulacan to service patients under investigation (PUIs) and those with mild Covid-19 symptoms, for free.
The MCGI Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF), in partnership with UNTV, has passed both the rigid standards set by the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for an isolation facility of Covid-19 patients.
The isolation facility started accepting patients on October 6, 2020.
WHO: “It raised the bar of standards”
The health facility has 32 individual isolation rooms, each installed with its own restroom to further prevent the transmission of the disease.
Each room is also equipped with an intercom and closed-circuit television (CCTV) and has Wi-Fi access to make it easy to monitor the needs of the patient in the room.
The rooms also come with a television set and access to WiFi for the patients’ entertainment while recovering from Covid-19.
“The facility is very good. It really complies with DOH standards, especially the separate rooms that will really control infection and will minimize the negative pressure,” said Dr. Jocelyn Joy Gomez, Development Manager of the DOH, Bulacan.
WATCH: MCGI-UNTV Covid-19 health facility, passed World Health Organization’s standards
The MCGI isolation facility is designed with airborne infection isolation rooms or negative pressure rooms rendering each patient unit as if under a vacuum.
This enables to isolate and contain airborne pathogens in a patient’s area. It is a smart way to thoroughly prevent the cross-contamination of the disease between the patients and the people inside and outside the facility, making it safe not only for the staff but also for the nearby community.
The World Health Organization Philippines also commended the facility for going beyond the requirements set by the medical authorities.
Kenneth Samaco, technical support for Field Operation for Covid-19 Response of WHO said:
“I would like to give my commendation for a job very well done. I mean, you went beyond what was required and you provided what the community really needs. If I am going to compare it with other TTMFs that I visited, this basically raised the bar of standards that we have.”
The building also has a sewerage system that ensures that incoming and outgoing water is not contaminated and can even be reused for watering plants and other purposes.
The facility also has a total of 38 full-time staff, which consists of five doctors, 22 nurses, and 11 non-medical personnel to capably handle patients even at full capacity.
A Facility For All
The quarantine facility is an initiative of MCGI and public service network UNTV and is open to those who are in dire need of isolation rooms regardless of their religious affiliation or race.
“So if they need to be admitted, if they need a facility, especially those who got infected with Covid-19, we will care for them here. We don’t discriminate as to whether what their religion is nor what the color of their skin is nor their beliefs. All will be accepted here,” remarked Dr. Raymond Pesebre, the medical director of the facility.
The newly-opened facility is an initiative of MCGI Overall Servants Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon, together with UNTV, to help with the Philippine government’s efforts in building more quarantine centers that will cater to the growing number of Covid-19 patients in the country.
The MCGI Health Facility is the first isolation center in the Philippines that is run by a non-government office or NGO.
Bulacan Government Lauds MCGI for the Health Facility
The local government of Bulacan commended Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel for putting up the MCGI Health Facility in their province. They are very grateful for the unceasing support of MCGI in their fight against Covid-19.
The Mayor of Malolos City, Gilbert T. Gatchalian, considered it as one with the best facilities for Covid-19 isolation center.
“I am so impressed because this is the third time that I have toured the facility, and as I’ve said before, this is one of the best. Because apart from the individual comfort rooms, you have placed measures to keep the safety, not only of the patients, but of the community outside as well,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Daniel Fernando also expressed his gratitude to MCGI and UNTV for the project that offers help and support to his province.
“Congratulations to UNTV, Kuya Daniel, Bro Eli for your perseverance in looking after the welfare of our citizens. This health facility is a great help for all of us. And I’m thankful for your usual support to all the projects of the provincial government of Bulacan,” said the provincial governor.
The facility was officially inaugurated by Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando together with Malolos City Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian, MCGI Representative Bro. Danny Navales, and Health Facility Medical Director Dr. Raymond Pesebre. Photo grabbed from Radyo La Verdad.
Non-stop MCGI’s Charity Works Despite Covid-19
With God’s help and mercy, the Members Church of God International continue their charity works despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
When the pandemic began, Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel Razon launched the Digital Clinic where people can consult doctors for their health concerns without leaving their homes.
MCGI also continuously give thousands of relief goods every month to various barangays that have been badly affected by the pandemic.
These are just some of the works that MCGI carried out amidst the pandemic inspired by the words of the Lord Jesus Christ through the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:10:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10, KJV)
