Nearby regions can accommodate patients if Metro Manila hospitals reach full capacity

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Friday hospitals from nearby regions could accommodate patients if in case medical facilities in Metro Manila would reach full capacity.

The Department of Health (DOH) official said the Philippines is not likely to reach a situation wherein doctors would choose who dies and who lives.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I don’t think so. That would never happen. Lahat ng pasyente na dadating sa ospital kahit gaano man kapuno iyan gagawan ng paraan ng gobyerno para sila ay ma-manage natin,” she said.

(All patients who come to the hospital, no matter how full, the government will provide a way for us to manage them.)

“Kung tayo man ay mapupuno dito sa Metro Manila, nakahanda na ang mga karatig na regions natin to accommodate our patients,” she added.

ADVERTISEMENT

(If we are to be full here in Metro Manila, our neighboring regions are ready to accommodate our patients.)

Such referrals had been made to Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in Pampanga and other hospitals outside Metro Manila, Vergeire said.

“Ang gobyerno kahit na wala nang espasyo gagawa at gagawa talaga ng paraan para lahat ng pasyente natin ay mabibigyan ng appropriate care na kailangan nila,” she added.

ADVERTISEMENT

(The government, even if there is no more space, will make way for all our patients to be given the appropriate care they need.)

As of August 6, the Philippines recorded 119,460 COVID-19 cases, 50,473 of which are active.

More than 50 percent of the active cases are located in Metro Manila, which reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine again until August 18.

Department of Health data showed that ss of August 6, 79% of the total 552 ICU beds, 77% of the 3,500 isolation beds, and 86% of the total 1,600 ward beds dedicated to COVID-19 in Metro Manila are occupied.

Of the 829 mechanical ventilators in the region, 50% is in use.

Malacañang said Wednesday the surge in COVID-19 cases happens worldwide and not just in the Philippines.

‘It’s not just happening in the Philippines. Let’s not have this wrong cue that, ‘Uy, the Philippines is having this many increase in cases.’ It’s happening in 70% of the planet right now,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview with CNN Philippines.