A significant shift to connectivity
How cell sites improve the operations of a premier hospital in Quezon City
Connectivity has increasingly become essential not only for homes but also for organizations. While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic enforces the observance of social distancing, it has also pressed further the need for a reliable and accessible Internet connection. Seeing this need for connectivity across their hospital, the Far Eastern UniversityNicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEUNRMF) Medical Center has a Globe cell tower on top of its main building and enjoys the benefits it gives for more than two decades. For Nicanor Reyes IV, the current administrator of FEU-NRMF Medical Center, installing a cell site in the hospital gives them a greater edge. “With these cell sites, it affords us better cooperation and communication with the outside world,” Mr. Reyes said. “We are dependent on this cellular signal, and it has helped us a lot.” Connectivity is no longer a problem, the administrator added, because they allowed the cell sites to prevail and to be on the hospital’s roofdeck and helipad. As a result, the Internet signal reaches across all the hospital’s rooms. Furthermore, as this premier hospital in the north of Manila is among those at the forefront in the battle against the pandemic, the cell sites have been more helpful. “Because we are now practicing social distancing, we do not allow the companion of our patients to join them. So with these cell sites, we encourage them to do it through Facetime, Viber, or other means of social media. So they can see what’s happening,” Mr. Reyes shared. In addition, the reliable connection these cell sites provide helps the hospital to interact with health experts overseas, especially regarding best practices in caring for COVID-19 patients. For such advantages of having a cell site in the medical center, the administrator finds it worthwhile that connectivity is within reach anytime. “I think that’s the greatest decision that I was a part of because if not, we would probably be in a worst-case situation right now,” he added. “I am thankful that we allowed these cell sites to be installed. I’d like to think and hope that all hospitals have that.” Aside from enabling further connectivity in the hospital, the cell sites in FEU-NRMF Medical Center have also proven that the misconception that cell towers can cause cancer on people. “We have not had any case of cancer regarding cell sites,” Mr. Reyes said. “As a matter of fact, we employ many cell sites and many boosters in the hospital. For us, it has saved lives.” In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation coming from cell sites below the “ban” category. This means that cell sites are definitely safe to be installed in hospitals. As the country gradually embraces the new normal, Mr. Reyes expects the hospital’s cell sites to continuously help in their operations. “I think with this new normal, we have realized that we are more dependent on this technology,” he said. “Cell sites, if not connectivity, are a must.”