The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) is planning to construct two to three buildings that are “pandemic-ready,” PGH director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said.
“Currently, the concern of course is this pandemic and we looked at our masterplan and we are designing everything, all the new buildings, maybe two or three buildings, in the next five years, all of them to be pandemic-ready,” Legaspi said in a Senate hearing Thursday.
Legaspi said these buildings will “close its doors” to other patients and these will be used exclusively for diseases that cause pandemics such as COVID-19 or measles.
Legaspi added the UP-PGH is in the process of establishing the Institute for Emerging Infectious Disease and Responses.
It is likewise finishing the construction of its isolation complex with 44 beds.
“I think the combination of all of these would allow us to educate more trainees, students, and specialists as well. And we are hoping that we are able to do this by expanding our capability,” Legaspi said.
The PGH will need the government’s support in constructing these facilities even as it explores other modality to fund these projects such as through Public-Private Partnerships, he said.
“We envision a PGH that is not only UP but a PGH that belongs to everyone from all over the country,” he said.
“I think the evolution of the teaching-hospital should be one that is open for everyone who is willing to learn and be educated,” he added.