General News
Palace of Justice in Cebu City lacks clinic, elevator
Reporter ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL
WHEN a staff volunteer collapsed during a meeting in the Palace of Justice in Cebu City yesterday, he had to be carried down four floors on a stretcher.
The emergency revived concerns about the lack of a clinic or nurse in the justice building, including a standing request to install an elevator.
Teodulo Toledo, 55, received first aid treatment from paramedics after his blood sugar level dropped.
He was placed on a stretcher and carried downstairs to an ambulance of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (Eruf) which took him to the North General Hospital.
Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes said he has been following up with the Supreme Court a request to set up a clinic and an elevator in the government building.
He is still waiting for the response, Paredes said.
A clinic would serve the judges, lawyers, court employees and litigants, and anybody who needs medical assistance within the court's premises.
For now, the Judges' Lounge on the ground floor is being used as as courtroom for cases which involve disabled persons.
The Palace of Justice has four floors. Court rooms are on the upper three floors.
A group of disabled individuals had earlier asked court officials in Cebu City to install an elevator at the Palace of Justice.
Two people died of a heart attack while attending hearings at the Palace of Justice since November 2008.
Last August, Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Judge Rosabella Tormis of Branch 4 suffered severe stomach pains during a court hearing. She had high blood pressure and heart complications.
Her staff had to run to the Provincial Capitol building across the street to seek medical assistance.
The Capitol has its own clinic and medical staff which recently began charging fees for services to non-Capitol employee patients.
Additional Information
Country: Philippines
Website: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20100224-255066/Palace-of-Justice-in-Cebu-City-lacks-clinic-elevator
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Source: Mail from: MORI Soya
When: 25/2/2010
