THE Cebu City Health Department (CHD) will soon implement an appointment system for all transactions to ensure physical distancing.
CHD officer-in-charge Jeffrey Ibones on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, said this will prevent people from flocking to their office.
He was reacting to a photo sent to SunStar Cebu page, which showed a crowd gathered at the entrance to the CHD office located on Gen. Maxilom Ave. Extension.
Although the people wore masks, they failed to observe physical distancing, a health safety protocol against transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)
Ibones said most of those people were there to pay, or secure sanitary permits and health cards at the CHD sanitary division.
Some were also there to avail themselves of the anti-rabies vaccination program of the CHD.
“It was a mixed group,” Ibones said in an interview.
He noted that the sanitary division of the CHD was closed from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28, thus, the large number of people who showed up on Friday.
On other days, Ibones said the crowd at their office is manageable.
The CHD has a P35 million budget intended for fixtures, furniture, some medical equipment and internet connectivity under the fourth supplemental budget of 2020.
Ibones previously said connectivity is one of the major concerns of the CHD.
He said they aim to upgrade their internet connection before his leadership ends. / JJL