New modular hospitals built in QC; can accommodate 108 COVID-19 patients


Five modular hospital units were launched by the national government at the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) in Quezon City on Wednesday, Aug. 11, to accommodate more patients that were afflicted of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. (third from right) leads top government officials and representatives of the Lung Center of the Philippines who graced the ceremonial turnover of five modular hospital units in Quezon City on Aug. 11, 2021. (Photo courtesy of National Task Force Against COVID-19 Facebook page)

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., vaccine czar and Chief Implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, said the modular hospitals have a combined capacity of 108 beds.

The modular hospitals were built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It was turned over by DPWH Sec. Mark Villar to the Department of Health (DOH) and local government unit of Quezon City.

"The newly-built 108-bed facility is designed to cater to the needs of moderate and severe COVID-19 patients. It has 20 ICU beds and is equipped with a built-in oxygen supply system," Galvez said.

"Each room of the 88 rooms is fully-air conditioned with a single hospital bed, a side cabinet and sliding dining tray, nurse call button and separate toilet and bath with hot and cold shower," he added.

(Photo courtesy of National Task Force Against COVID-19 Facebook page)
(Photo courtesy of National Task Force Against COVID-19 Facebook page)

Meanwhile, Villar hopes tyat the modular hospitals will help the local government of Quezon City to address the surge of cases due to the spread of the Delta variant.

"I am grateful and thankful for all those involved who helped this much-needed hospital facility be completed,” said Villar, who is also the country's isolation czar.

For his part, DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III emphasized the importance of the modular hospitals in the nation’s fight against COVID-19.

“Kritikal po sa patuloy na husay ng ating pagresponde sa pandemyang COVID-19 ang mabilis na pagpapalawig ng kapasidad ng ating sistemang pangkalusugan. Kaya naman hindi matatawaran ang bawat modular hospital na ating naitatag (The quick expansion of the capacity of our healthcare system is critical in improving our COVID-19 pandemic response. This is why each modular hospital that we build is very important)," he stressed.

Aside from Galvez, Duque, and Villar, other attendees during the ceremonial turnover were Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Health Usec. Leopoldo Vega, DPWH Usec. Emil Sadain, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Lung Center of the Philippines Executive Director Vincent Balanag.