The Department of Health (DOH) has assigned several hospitals to be used specifically for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the increasing number of cases in the Philippines.
According to DOH Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire, the UP-Philippine General Hospital has been identified as one of the COVID-19 hospitals.
“UP-PGH has already agreed to become our COVID-19 hospital. They are slowly transitioning para po magamit na natin sila (so we
can use them) in the coming days para specific lang (specifically) for COVID-19 cases.”
Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan is also being considered while the Lung Center of the Philippines has a dedicated wing for patients affected with COVID-19.
The DOH Undersecretary clarified that having a hospital specifically for COVID-19 patients will greatly help decongesting hospitals to accommodate more patients with other ailments.
“’Pag nagkaroon na po tayo ng specific na ospital para sa mga kaso ng COVID-19, lahat na po ng iniisip natin, sinususpetsa at kasama na dun sa ating criteria na kailangang matingan sa isang ospital ay doon na lang dadalhin. Mapreprevent na ho natin ang mix of patients sa iba’t ibang mga ospital natin. Madedecongest na rin natin ‘yung mga ospital natin na kailangan naman natin para sa non-COVID cases (If we have specific hospitals for COVID-19 cases, all persons who we think or suspect to have it including those who fall under our criteria will be brought there for checking. Mixing of patients will be prevented. Hospitals needed for non-COVID-19 treatment will also be decongested).”
The DOH added that the release of test results of PUIs is expected to be facilitated with the arrival of additional testing kits.
There are 3,000 testing kits at hand and more donations are expected to come.
Report from Mark Fetalco
