Lapu-Lapu City Hospital Faces Generator Shortage Complaints Amid Emergency Room Power Outage
The Lapu-Lapu City Government has responded to a viral social media complaint regarding an alleged generator shortage at Lapu-Lapu City Hospital. This issue came to light after a patient's relative reported a power outage in the emergency room, sparking widespread public concern.
Patient's Relative Details Disturbing Experience
Kaye Gabutan, a resident of Barangay Babag, brought her 81-year-old grandmother to the hospital on the evening of Saturday, April 18, following an accident. She revealed that the emergency room remained dark for nearly an hour, with staff informing her that no generator was allocated for that specific area.
"I witnessed the scenario firsthand. The golden time in an emergency is eight to 10 minutes. Without electricity, what if a life-threatening case arrives needing immediate attention?" Gabutan emphasized, questioning the government's budget priorities, especially in the healthcare sector.
Her Facebook post garnered thousands of reactions and shares, amplifying calls for accountability and improved infrastructure.
Officials Deny Claims as Fake News
In response, Lone District Representative Junard "Ahong" Chan labeled the post as false information or fake news, describing it as a political attack. He assured the public that the hospital does have a generator and that the power disruption was brief.
City Hospital Administrator Lynart Kevin Omnes confirmed the presence of a generator but acknowledged a minor operational delay during the incident. This was attributed to an external transformer explosion, which required safety checks on the breakers before activation.
Omnes clarified that the generator serves the entire hospital, not just the emergency room. The power outage occurred from 10:14 PM to 10:39 PM, with no patients placed at risk due to battery backup systems on ER equipment.
This incident highlights ongoing debates about healthcare funding and emergency preparedness in public facilities.
