By Christine Fabro
The Private Hospital Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAP) ensured that private hospitals in the country are prepared for possible surge of COVID-19 cases due to the highly transmissible Delta variant.
PHAP President Dr. Jose Rene De Grano said in a Laging Handa public briefing on Monday (July 19) that from the current 20% hospital bed capacity allocated for COVID-19 patients, private hospitals are mandated to increase their bed capacity up to 30% when COVID-19 surge reoccurs.
“Nito pong nag-pandemic, talaga naman pong ang mga private hospitals nag-allocate na ng 20% ng bed capacity ng mga hospitals para sa COVID cases. At kapag nagkaka-surge po, talagang mina-mandato kami na mag-increase up to 30%,” De Grano said.
However, De Grano said that there is a limited number of nurses and nursing staff across hospitals.
“Pero sa dami naman po ng kaya ng hospital na i-provide…noong magkaroon po ng surge noong April, after that, ang dami na rin po ulit na nag-resign at lumipat na mga nursing staff ng mga private hospitals,” he said.
Meanwhile, treatment czar Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said in a Palace briefing on Monday that private and government hospitals were given a contingency plan in case of a COVID-19 surge.
He said that there will be a deployment of healthcare workers from different agencies, as well as an emergency hiring of hospital staff from the Department of Health. -rir
