PGH limits ER patients due to overcapacity; DOH extends assistance

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has limited the number of patients that can be accommodated in its emergency room on Thursday due to overcapacity.

According to a report in “Saksi”, PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario said the number of patients in the hospital’s ER reached “critical overcapacity.”

The influx of patients in the ER also led to insufficient supply of oxygen cords.

Del Rosario said they had to implement “code triage” in which acute or life threatening emergencies will be prioritized, the report said.

“We’re hoping that within a week, ayos na ‘yung problem. And once ‘yung ating problema ay na-solve, then we will announce again to the public na tapos na ‘yung overcapacity,” said Del Rosario.

(We’re hoping that within a week, the problem will be solved. And once the problem is fixed, then we will announce to the public that there is no more overcapacity.)

The Department of Health already coordinated with the PGH to transfer the other patients to 20 of its accredited hospitals.

Citing the PGH management, the DOH said in a statement that there is no “unusual or dangerous reason” for the influx of patients and that the number may “decrease in a few days.”

"We are already talking to UP-PGH for the possible transfer of their current patients to DOH hospitals," said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

"All hospitals, clinics, ambulances and doctors are advised to refrain from bringing new patients to UP-PGH, and to bring them to DOH hospitals first," he added.

The public was also advised to call the DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development via mobile numbers 0956-1753710 or 0920-2511800 before bringing a patient to the accredited hospitals.

Here are the DOH-accredited hospitals in Metro Manila:

Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium

Las Pinas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center

San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital

National Center for Mental Health

Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital

Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center

San Lazaro Hospital

Tondo Medical Center

Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

Rizal Medical Center

East Avenue Medical Center

National Children's Hospital

Philippine Orthopedic Center

Quirino Memorial Medical Center

Lung Center of the Philippines

 National Kidney and Transplant Institute

Philippine Heart Center

Philippine Children's Medical Center

Valenzuela Medical Center

— Mariel Celine Serquiña and Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News