East Avenue Medical Center reaches overcapacity due to no refusal policy

Due to the "no refusal policy" of government hospitals, East Avenue Medical Center on East Avenue in Quezon City has reached overcapacity, according to a report on News To Go on Tuesday.

The hospital has been accepting patients even if there were no more beds available, putting patients in every available space such as corridors and even fire exits.

The emergency room was also full, while the ward section in the ground floor was packed such that there were even patients in the middle of the room.

Hospital authorities said they placed patients in every available space but considered their safety as well.

Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag of the Department of Health admitted that some government hospitals have reached overcapacity.

Aside from the policy of the DOH prohibiting asking patients for deposit prior to admission, Republic Act 8344 penalizes hospitals refusing to administer initial medical treatment. —KG, GMA News