OHCC to be regionalized, DOH official says


DOH/MB

The One Hospital Command Center (OHCC) is being regionalized to assist more patients needing medical assistance, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.

Regional hospital command centers have already been set up in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Southern Mindanao, and Caraga, said DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega on Wednesday, June 16.

“Malaking breakthrough ito lalong-lalo na itong interconnectivity between the regions and national institutions para ho mas mapabilis ang pag aksyon lalong lalo na sa pangangailangan ng regional hospitals or medical centers sa mga probinsya (This is a big breakthrough, especially the interconnectivity between the regions and national institutions to fast track our actions, especially to the needs of the regional hospitals or medical centers),” said Vega.

“Dahan-dahan namin itong nireregionalize. Kasi alam namin, marami din kaming calls na galing outside Metro Manila (We are slowly regionalizing it. Because we know, we also have a lot of calls from outside Metro Manila),” he added.

Meanwhile, the country’s main OHCC is now located at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, said Vega. Previously, it was situated at the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

“Better na po yung aming facilities and number of personnel at saka yung (internet) connectivity (Our facilities and number of personnel are even better and so is the (internet) connectivity),” said Vega, adding that 80 more personnel were hired to boost the center’s services.

To note, the OHCC was launched in August last year with the purpose of having an effective and efficient health facility referral amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The OHCC is a centralized system that the public can call prior to seeking medical assistance so that they are guaranteed a slot at an available and appropriate healthcare facility.

The center can be accessed in three different ways: by downloading the free Pure Force Citizens application, and through the dedicated hotlines; 1555, 02-886-505-00, 0915-777-7777 and 0919-977-3333.