PGH director: 3 to 4 months before fire-hit area resumes normal ops

The director of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Monday estimated that it would take three to four months before the portion of the building that was hit by a fire over the weekend resumes normal operations.

Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said five sterilization units were damaged when fire broke out at the PGH’s operating room supply and autoclave room (ORSA) early Sunday morning. 

Legaspi explained that this area is “very vital” to daily operations as it supports 32 operating rooms.

“Ang tantiya po namin, mababalik ang normal operation ng ORSA siguro mga tatlo o apat na buwan po (Our estimate is ORSA’s normal operations will resume after three to four months) with the construction considered,” he said in a Laging Handa briefing.

Despite this, Legaspi assured the public that the PGH is already working with other hospitals and making internal adjustments to resume surgeries “on a regular basis.”

He also said the PGH’s initial estimate of the cost of damage is upwards of P50 million “just by equipment alone.”

“We already made our surveying of the market. Meron pong mga available na units na maaari naming mabili (There are available units that we can purchase),” Legaspi said.

“[Our] strategy is to overcome government procurement procedures, maybe purchase them on an emergency basis so we can equip the hospital again,” he added.

The hospital director also said two areas in PGH have been designated to house sterilizing equipment for the meantime.

Donors may deposit to the PGH's verified accounts or call the hospital hotline at 155-200 for more details.

In the same briefing, Legaspi said PGH, a major COVID-19 referral center, will resume accepting virus-hit patients on Tuesday, May 18.  —KBK, GMA News