Bohol birthing center delivers even before it opened
by Rey Anthony Chiu
Tagbilaran City (22 February) -- AS expected, before new Catigbian Municipal Health Center could operate, it has delivered: literally.
At about 6:00 AM or 4 hours ahead of its formal opening, February 20, 2009 janitors were still putting up the stands for the ceremonial ribbon cutting marking the formal blessing and inauguration of the 5-bed puericulture and lying-in clinic set at 10:00 AM.
That same time, a pregnant woman and her husband walked in for delivery assistance.
The mother to be: 31 year old Hazel Tagayong Renoblas was accompanied by her husband Georgin and has to take the trip from Triple Union, about 4 kilometers away to the town center where health facilities are located.
Georgin however was apprehensive; he only had P500 in his pocket.
Hazel has saved a little for the hospital after a domestic helper stint in Dubai and Gergin, has saved a little as a farmer. But unluckily, Hazel's relative met an accident, so she has to lend the money for the hospital bills.
In town, Georgin could not decide where to bring his laboring wife.
But barangay health workers in the town have previously told the couple that a package of benefits await them at the new town health center, if the happen to be its first patients.
First in the line of Catigbian's preventive medicine advocates, barangay health workers have been actively bringing out health messages to prepare for the new facility the town puts up to upgrade its health and medical services to its people.
Pushed by this and convinced that they are in for a special treat, the couple knocked at the facility's door and just as expected, the puericulture clinic team started mobilizing the drill they have been trained for months.
At 8:45, or an hour and 45 minutes after they walked in, the shrill cry of the baby boy broke the silent anticipation of the father.
The baby weighed 6.3 pounds delivered and handled by Dr, Jacquiline Majella Uy, MHO and assisted by midwives and cord-dressed by Myra Madrangca confirmed Municipal secretary Ardissa Estavilla.
"Geozelo" Hazel meekly said when asked what they intend to name the baby.
It is a combination of names, Geo for his father Georgin and Zel from Hazel, she explained later.
For getting the good hand, Catigbain Mayor Roberto Salinas initially gave the couple P1T cash, while Congressman Edgar Chatto also handed P2K for the family. (PIA) [top]
