The country’s hospital referral facility One Hospital Command Center (OHCC) has been receiving more calls per day amid the reported increase of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Speaking at the Sept. 3 Laging Handa briefing, OHCC medical officer Dr. Marylaine Padlan said calls received in August rose by 200% or up to 400 to 500 daily calls.
Padlan said they were only receiving 100 to 200 calls per day in July, and that 20% of the total calls are from the National Capital Region (NCR). The majority of the rest of the calls are from Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 10, 13, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
“Hindi naman nagbago iyong average calls namin. Naglalaro pa rin siya ng 400 to 500 calls per day. Kaya hindi namin masyadong naramdaman iyong peak ng number of daily cases,” Padlan said.
The OHCC said patients’ needs are immediately addressed despite the rise in the number of calls. It is also coordinating with local government units and barangay health emergency response teams amid the high occupancy rates of hospital beds and intensive care units.
Patients who have yet to be admitted to hospitals are redirected to telemedicine consultation for immediate medical attention pending their admission.
“Patuloy pa rin po kaming naghahanap ng hospital, naghahanap pa rin kami ng hospital farther away that can cater the patient. And while doing that, we also coordinate with the LGU especially to the BHERT ‘no para ma-monitor po iyong kalagayan ni patient,” she said.
The OHCC has asked for public understanding due to the congestion of its lines amid the increase in the number of calls.
“Kapag naka-receive naman po kami ng message or naka-receive po kami ng tawag sa inyo, sisiguraduhin namin na we will call you back and we will assist po regarding doon sa needs,” she said.
The OHCC can be reached through the following hotlines:
DOH COVID Hotline 1555
0919-977-3333
0915-777-7777
(02) 886 505 00
– Report from Kenneth Paciente/AG-rir
