Hospital denies reserving bed for COVID-19 patient

MANILA, Philippines — Capitol Medical Center (CMC) in Quezon City has denied it has reserved a room for a COVID-19 patient.

“It has come to our attention a post in social media indicating that ‘Capitol Medical Hospital’ reserved a hospital  bed for a certain person but allowed another person to use the bed,” the CMC said in a statement on Thursday night.

Citing its records, the CMC said “there was no such room reservation for said person.”

The hospital did not specify the person it was referring to. However, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said in a Facebook post last Tuesday that despite his “influence,” he gave up his hospital room in favor of an elderly patient with a severe illness.

“May kuwarto pong maaaring ipagamit sa akin sa Capitol Medical Hospital pero sa halip na kunin ay ibinigay ko na lang po ito sa ina ng isang kapatid sa media na senior citizen na malubha ang kalagayan,” he said.

Antiporda and his wife contracted COVID-19. Instead of going to a hospital, both opted to stay and recuperate at their home.

The CMC, however, said it has been strictly following a “first-in-line, first admission policy” due to the number of COVID-19 patients waiting for admission.

“CMC assures the public that it is continually committed to serve the community equitably and with utmost professionalism,” it said.