The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday (June 16) assured that it is working on decongesting hospitals with an increasing intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy rate.
Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said the overall utilization rate of ICU in the National Capital Region (NCR) is 50%. However, some areas including Makati and Muntinlupa have high to critical risk ICU occupancy.
Some COVID-19 referral hospitals such as East Avenue Medical Center and Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital reportedly have low ICU occupancy.
“Sa Metro Manila, collectively bumaba ang usage ng ICU at critical beds…Nasa low-risk category na siya. Pero mayroon kaming nakikita na cities kagaya ng Makati at Muntinlupa na medyo nasa high-risk position at saka sa Rizal province,” Vega said during the June 16 Laging Handa briefing.
“Ito ‘yung medyo mataas ang kanilang ICU utilization, kasi kakaunti lang talaga, lalo na sa Rizal, kakaunti lang talaga ang number of beds na ICU,” he added.
Hospitals have already augmented their capacity by up to 400 beds since March 28 or during the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the Greater Manila Area. Modular hospitals were also established to address the case spikes.
Meanwhile, the DOH is now coordinating with its regional office in Bicol due to healthcare utilization increase, particularly in Legazpi and Naga. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-jlo
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