Private hospitals struggle to cater to critical Covid-19 cases

A health official said SPMC continues to cater to the majority of critical Covid-19 cases

PRIVATE hospitals in Davao City are struggling to cater to critical Covid-19 patients, health officials admitted.

Davao City Covid-19 focal person Dr. Ashley Lopez said in a recent radio interview that despite having the One Hospital Command Center system established in the city, which was established when it shifted back to general community quarantine (GCQ), this had still not addressed the problem on the limited number of Southern Philippines Medical Center’s (SPMC) intensive care unit (ICU) beds designated for Covid-19 patients.

Based on the SPMC’s bed capacity data, the hospital had recorded hundred-percent bed occupancy in its 30 alloted ICU beds beginning December 30, 2020 until January 23, 2021. Although this was a bit decongested on January 8 to 10, and 14.

Lopez said this is a problem considering that SPMC has only a few ICU beds for patients with critical and severe Covid-19 conditions.

“Isa ni sa ato problema tungod hangtod karon, dili pa gihapon capable atong private hospitals (This is our problem because until now, our private hospitals are still not able) to cater severe critical cases or patients intended for intensive care sa ICU care sa ato private hospitals,” he said.

One of the functions of the One Hospital system is requiring private hospitals in the city to admit Covid-19 patients in a bid to decongest SPMC.

A total of 17 identified private hospitals in the city are currently ordered to allocate 20 percent of their total bed capacity for Covid-19 patients.

Lopez admitted that some hospitals are still catching up with this requirement, but he said these are intended for mild

Isa ni sa ato problema tungod hangtod karon, dili pa gihapon capable atong private hospitals to cater severe critical cases or patients intended for intensive care sa ICU care sa ato private hospitals. DR. ASHLEY LOPEZ

Davao City Covid-19 focal person

to moderate cases. Asymptomatic patients are brought to the temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMF).

As a result of the problem, the health official said SPMC still caters to a majority of Covid-19 patients.

SPMC officer-in-charge Dr. Ricardo Audan also confirmed this in a phone interview, saying that private hospitals continue to refer critical patients to SPMC due to low ICU beds.

Based on his recent talks with Health Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr., this will be discussed with the Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao).

“But we cannot do [anything] kung gamay ra pud ilang (if they have short) bed capacity. ICU beds for that matter,” Audan said.

Although he said they will be opening another area with five beds, which will be converted into ICU beds to accommodate more critical Covid-19 patients.

Since January 4, the city Covid-19 task force had already noted the effect of the “post-Holiday” surge brought about the expected gatherings and errands in the recent Christmas and New Year celebration, despite warnings from health officials.

Lopez said despite the spike of cases, he also said the city’s recovery rate is also increasing, which is at an average of 80-percent.

But he said they are expecting the surge to continue until mid-Feburary, as they projected earlier.

Davao Medical Society (DMS) President Jose Beltran Jr., in a separate phone interview, said the recent surge is alarming, despite the continuous imposition of restriction.

Although he said it is hard to pinpoint what additional measures the government should do, as even progressive countries are also having the same problem.

“Ang tao pag-asa guro ani (Maybe, our hope), as of now, is the vaccination,” Beltran said.

But he said the local government and the public should not be complacent, despite the possible arrival of the vaccine. He said there should be continuous compliance on the observed minimum health protocol.