PGH reaches overcapacity – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health has advised people needing medical attention to proceed to other DOH hospitals after the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) reached “overcapacity” on Thursday.

The DOH said it is ready to assist UP-PGH while its emergency room is temporarily full of patients.

“We are already talking to UP-PGH for the possible transfer of their current patients to (other) DOH hospitals,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a statement.

Herbosa said “all hospitals, clinics, ambulances and doctors are advised to refrain from bringing new patients to UP-PGH.”

He also advised them to first bring patients to other DOH hospitals, which include the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Caloocan, Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon and National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong.

In Manila, patients can be brought to the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital and Tondo Medical Center.

Patients seeking medical attention can also proceed to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa, Rizal Medical Center in Pasig and Valenzuela Medical Center.

In Quezon City, patients can be brought to the  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.

According to the DOH, an investigation by the UP-PGH management showed “no unusual or dangerous reasons for this situation” and that the “number (of patients) may also decrease after a few days.”

Earlier reports said the number of patients in the PGH’s emergency room reached “critical overcapacity.”

PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario said they had to implement “code triage” in which acute or life-threatening emergencies were prioritized.