Government to add 200 more ICU beds before reopening

THE HEALTH department is in talks with an Austrian company for orders of about 200 more intensive care unit (ICU) beds as the country prepares for the reopening of the economy, according to the Presidential Palace.

Presidential spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. issued the statement on Tuesday after the Philippines reportedly missed its chance to secure hundreds of hospital beds last year, which supposedly resulted in a shouting match during a recent emergency Cabinet meeting.

“There was no shouting match because what the Philippines really needs now are ICU beds,” he told a televised news briefing in Filipino.

Mr. Roque said the government had not considered the Austrian company’s original offer because the deal was only for 15 ICU beds. He added that the foreign company was expected to submit its new proposal this week.

He said the company had identified the hospitals that would get the ICU beds for coronavirus patients.

He noted that the economy would only reopen if the country had enough beds for coronavirus patients.

The palace official earlier said the government had intended to put up more ICU beds for coronavirus patients with severe symptoms so quarantines could be relaxed by next month. The state wanted to add 200 more ICU beds on top of 176 beds pledged by hospitals in Metro Manila.

“If the country’s doesn’t run out of ICU beds and it’s obvious now that we won’t run out of isolation beds and temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, there is a reason to open up the economy,” Mr. Roque said in Filipino.

It’s cheaper to set up more ICU beds rather than lock the economy down, he said, citing government economic managers.

Mr. Roque said the government expects the use rate of ICU beds in Metro Manila to fall to 60% from 72% as of April 26.

Meanwhile, two more hospitals were given a compassionate special permit to use the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as a treatment for coronavirus, the

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said. — Kyle

Aristophere T. Atienza and

Vann Marlo M. Villegas