Caring for patients goes beyond administering medicine and providing treatment, Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro told more than 90 nurses from the province’s hospitals during a meeting Wednesday.
Baricuatro joined nurses from various Capitol-run hospitals and Provincial Health Office Department Head Dr. Sheila Faciol at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Aug. 12 to discuss concerns affecting healthcare workers and ways to improve healthcare services.
The governor emphasized the need for healthcare workers to provide patients with quality medical care while treating them with empathy, compassion and professionalism.
“I really understand where you’re coming from. Believe me, I do understand. I’ve been in the service industry for 30 years. How you treat the patient importante kaayo na. The patients when they are sick, they are at your mercy. So it’s really up to you to handle it,” Baricuatro said.
She assured the nurses of the provincial government’s support while urging them to remain welcoming and professional despite the demands of their work.
Baricuatro also recognized the risk of burnout among healthcare workers and encouraged nurses to take breaks and seek assistance when they feel overwhelmed.
“I understand nga lisod sad na inyong trabaho, but when you really need a break—ma-burn out man gyud ta, noh—give yourself a break. Kung di na gyud ninyo kaya that very moment, then ask for a substitution. Get yourself out of the situation and ask somebody to take over before naay mahitabo,” she said.
The nurses also raised concerns involving the referral system and other challenges affecting the delivery of healthcare services.
Faciol reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and urged healthcare workers to strengthen their approach to patient service.
“We are very serious in giving quality healthcare to the Cebuanos,” Faciol said.
She also encouraged healthcare workers to continuously improve hospitality and customer service as part of providing better care to patients.
The meeting provided the provincial government and nurses an opportunity to discuss operational concerns while reinforcing the importance of compassionate patient care across Capitol-run hospitals.
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province
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