By Analou De Vera
Two wards of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) have been retrofitted to attend to patients afflicted with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), construction firm D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI) said.
" DMCI workers rushed to complete the project in five days in response to PGH's tight deadline," the construction firm said in a statement.
"To fast track the construction process and control exposure of its workers, DMCI prefabricated off site partition walls, exhaust frames and stairs needed to isolate the COVID-19 facility from the rest of the hospital. A dedicated team of DMCI workers handled the installation of the prefabricated materials," it added.
The DMCI said that the facilities have "negative pressure rooms" that suck in contaminated air, ventilators, and separate access points for patients and medical staff.
"Much of the credit goes to our workers who rose to the challenge of delivering this project on-time and in accordance with social distancing and sanitation protocols," said DMCI President and CEO Jorge Consunji.
"We also commend the management of UP-PGH Architect Dan Lichauco and Bloomberry Foundation for supporting our workers throughout the construction work," he added.
To note, the UP-PGH, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City, and Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City will serve as referral hospitals for COVID-19 patients.