The Department of Health called on healthcare institutions and practitioners to bring new patients to other government hospitals as the emergency room of the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) has reached full capacity.
“In line with President Bongbong Marcos’ focus on health, the Department of Health is ready to assist the UP-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) while its Emergency Room is temporarily full of patients,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a news release Friday.
“Upon investigation by the UP-PGH management, no unusual or dangerous reasons were found for this situation, and the number may also decrease after a few days,” Herobosa added.
UP-PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario in a radio interview said there was no outbreak or disaster causing the overcapacity.
Most emergency cases involved common conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, cancer, and appendicitis, among others, Del Rosario said.
“We don’t usually turn down patients. As much as possible, we accommodate, but it is really cramped right now,” he added.
Herbosa said the DOH is discussing with the UP-PGH the possibility of transferring some patients to DOH hospitals.
He said patients can be admitted to the following DOH hospitals:
Caloocan: Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium
Las Piñas: Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
Malabon: San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital
Mandaluyong: National Center for Mental Health
Manila: Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital; Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center; San Lazaro Hospital; and Tondo Medical Center
Marikina: Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center
Muntinlupa: Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
Pasig: Rizal Medical Center
Quezon City: 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; and Philippine Children’s Medical Center
Valenzuela: Valenzuela Medical Center
Those needing assistance may call the DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MM CHD) via mobile numbers 0956-1753710 or 0920-2511800 first, if possible, before bringing a patient.