Patients moved, operations hampered as flood hits Bulacan hospital

Some patients of a hospital in Meycauayan, Bulacan had to be moved to a higher floor after waist-high flood affected its ground level amid heavy rains brought by the Habagat (Southwest Monsoon) enhanced by tropical cyclone Carina.

According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras,” operations at the Meycauayan Doctors Hospital and Medical Center were also affected because it had no steady electricity.

“Hindi kami makakapag operate ng walang ilaw, tubig ‘yan,” said nurse Mervy Estole. 

(We cannot operate without lights and water.) 

The hospital had to rely on generators.

“May pinapa-CT scan akong pasyente, hindi ma CT scan kasi naka generator lang yung hospital eh,” said doctor MJ Limcuaco. 

(I have a patient who was supposed to undergo a CT scan, but it’s impossible because the hospital just relies on a generator right now.) 

Among the patients who had to deal with the inadequacy in the hospital due to the calamity was stroke patient Edward, who was saved by his caregiver and friend. 

“Dahil naaala ko yung pasyente, hindi ko naman iiwanan talaga eh,” said Angelito Asistin. 

(My patient was on top of my mind, and I will never leave him.) 

“'Yung tubig andyan na eh, ganito lang kababa yung higaan niya,” recalled Zaldy Millan, Edward’s friend. 

(The water was already rising, but his bed was low.) 

The Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, most parts of Meycauayan and Marilao are still affected by flooding until Thursday noon. 

Several residents had to tie their bodies just to keep them safe from being swept away by the flood. 

Bulacan is one of the several areas that declared a state of calamity. 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported Thursday morning that the number of fatalities due to the impact of the southwest monsoon or Habagat and Tropical Cyclones Carina and Butchoy rose to 14.

Carina, which reached super typhoon level on Wednesday, has already exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, but PAGASA said rains may linger until Friday. —Vince Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News