Hospitals seek DoH help amid overcrowding

Two government hospitals in Samar have appealed to Health Secretary Edwin Mercado for immediate assistance as patient numbers far exceed their authorized bed capacities.

In separate reports dated 19 October, Calbayog District Hospital and Samar Provincial Hospital cited the need for more facilities, beds, medical personnel and equipment, as well as additional government support.

Calbayog District Hospital had 181 inpatients against its authorized capacity of 75 beds, or 241 percent occupancy. On 19 October alone, it recorded 58 admissions and 238 outpatient consultations.

Hospital chief Dr. Jonathan Gabriel J. Paquit attributed the pressure to increasing admissions and referrals from Calbayog City and two inter-local health zones. The hospital is seeking help to expand its inpatient facilities, review its authorized bed capacity and strengthen referral arrangements with local government units and health authorities.

Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City reported accommodating about 200 to 250 patients despite having an authorized capacity of 100 beds.

Its officer-in-charge, Dr. Jansenn Y. Mutya, cited congestion in the emergency room and delays in transferring admitted patients to inpatient wards.

The hospital is seeking infrastructure, qualified medical staff, equipment and technical assistance for its planned upgrade from Level 1 to Level 2 status, an application for Level 3 clinical laboratory capability and the opening of an intensive care unit.

Both hospitals urged the Department of Health (DoH) to provide additional beds and facilities, augment personnel, supply essential equipment and fund expansion projects. They also sought technical and regulatory assistance to increase bed capacity and support their planned upgrades.

Hospital officials said coordinated action by the DoH and the Samar provincial government is needed to ease overcrowding and maintain safe, accessible and quality health services.