The Department of Health (DOH) has designated select hospitals to treat patients suspected or confirmed to have the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Read more stories on COVID-19 here.)
The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), in Manila, Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), in Quezon City, and Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium (formerly Tala Leprosarium), in Caloocan are now COVID-19 referral hospitals for the National Capital Region (NCR).
DOH says, “More details will be released once the referral mechanism and rotation system have been worked out.”
UP-PGH has begun ceasing admission for non-emergency cases to free up wards and rooms for persons suspected to be infected with COVID-19 since March 19, 2020.
The LCP is dedicating one hospital wing for COVID-19 patients and is taking extra measures to protect its patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and lung cancer from COVID-19 exposure.
Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium is also making arrangements to accept more COVID-19 referrals.
The COVID-19 referral hospitals will still follow the same protocols. It will prioritize individuals who have travel history to other countries with confirmed cases and who have been exposed to confirmed cases.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWToday, March 21, DOH also addressed a circulationg an infographic advising of four hospitals, including Las Piñas General Hospital, as "COVID-19 Facilities not entirely factual."
On its Facebook page, DOH reiterates that Las Pinas General Hospital is not included in the list nor has it "released any advisory or/and guidelines on areas covered by the identified hospitals in NCR.
Private hospitals plea to designate hospitals for COVID-19
DOH’s designation of COVID-19 referral hospitals was a response to the plea of private hospitals to “centralize all efforts and resources into one or two COVID-19 hospitals, adequately equipped and invested upon by the government.” It will help protect more healthcare officials from exposure as the supply of personal protective equipment runs low.
The group of private hospitals that signed the statement in March 19, 2020 are:
- The Medical City
- St. Luke’s Medical Center
- Makati Medical Center
- Adventist Medical Center
- Asian Hospital Medical Center
- Cardinal Santos Medical Center
- Fatima University Medical Center
- Manila Doctors Hospital
- Medical Center Manila
- Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
- University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowHowever, DOH also appealed for the full support of the NCR medical community since additional healthcare workers will be needed to complement COVID-19 referral hospitals’ existing workforce. Rest assured, the Health Department says, it is “working hard to ensure that health workers will be protected while caring for their patients.”
For more updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.
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