Samar hospitals buckle under patient surge

Two government hospitals in Samar are operating far beyond their authorized bed capacities, prompting the Department of Health (DoH) to deploy emergency assistance following an appeal from Gov. Sharee Ann Tan.

Calbayog District Hospital had 181 inpatients as of 19 October, despite having only 75 authorized beds, or more than 240 percent occupancy.

Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City was accommodating between 200 and 250 patients, more than twice its authorized capacity of 100 beds.

Following Tan’s appeal on 26 October, Health Secretary Edwin Mercado directed the DoH Eastern Visayas regional office to provide temporary patient accommodations, emergency medical teams and additional healthcare personnel.

Mercado also ordered an assessment of patient congestion and hospital referral arrangements. In a 30 October follow-up letter, Tan requested closer coordination and concrete timelines for implementing the measures.

She said emergency assistance should be followed by long-term improvements, including additional hospital beds, upgraded facilities and equipment, and the hiring of more healthcare personnel.