Samar hospitals seek DOH aid over overcrowding
Calbayog District Hospital and Samar Provincial Hospital have appealed to Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Edwin Mercado for immediate assistance to address overcrowding, expand patient capacity, and improve healthcare services in the two government-run hospitals in Samar.
In separate reports dated 19 October 2026, the hospitals documented patient numbers far exceeding their authorized bed capacities, highlighting the need for additional facilities, medical personnel, equipment, and government support.
Calbayog District Hospital recorded 181 inpatients against its authorized capacity of 75 beds, equivalent to 241% occupancy. On 19 October alone, the hospital logged 58 admissions and 238 outpatient consultations.
Dr. Jonathan Gabriel J. Paquit, chief of Calbayog District Hospital, attributed the high patient volume to increasing admissions and referrals from Calbayog City and two inter-local health zones.
The hospital is seeking DOH assistance to expand its inpatient facilities, assess the possibility of increasing its authorized bed capacity, and strengthen referral arrangements with local government units and health authorities.
Meanwhile, Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City reported accommodating around 200 to 250 patients despite having an authorized capacity of only 100 beds.
Dr. Jansenn Y. Mutya, officer-in-charge of Samar Provincial Hospital, identified emergency room congestion and delays in transferring admitted patients to inpatient wards as major operational concerns.
The hospital is seeking infrastructure improvements, qualified medical personnel, equipment, and technical assistance to support its planned upgrade from a Level 1 to a Level 2 hospital, its application for Level 3 clinical laboratory capability, and the establishment of an intensive care unit (ICU).
Both hospitals urged the DOH to provide additional inpatient facilities and beds, augment medical staffing, supply essential equipment, and allocate funding for expansion. They also requested technical and regulatory assistance to increase bed capacity and facilitate their planned upgrades.
Hospital officials stressed that timely and coordinated action by the DOH and the Provincial Government of Samar is necessary to ease overcrowding, improve patient flow, and ensure safe, accessible, and quality healthcare services.
The reports have been submitted to the Provincial Government of Samar for appropriate action and coordination with the concerned national health authorities.