While there is a decrease in the number of its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is seeing an increase in its non-COVID-19 patients.
In a DZMM TeleRadyo interview, PGH spokesperson Dr. Jonas Del Rosario said that this December, an average of two to three COVID-19 patients are admitted to the hospital per day. Currently, there are 56 COVID-19 patients in PGH.
However, as COVID-19 cases decline, the admission of non-COVID patients in PGH increases.
“Akala namin makakapagpahinga na kami, pero balik sa pre-pandemic numbers. Nagdatingan na ‘yung mga non-COVID patients namin at dumadagsa sila sa emergency room (We thought we could rest, but it is back to pre-pandemic numbers. Our non-COVID patients are coming and they are rushing to the emergency room),” said Del Rosario.
He added that this can be attributed to the ease of restrictions and that the patients are “taking advantage of the opportunity” to have themselves admitted while the hospital caters to lesser COVID-19 patients.
Amidst the increase of non-COVID admissions, Del Rosario apologizes in advance if people are turned down and are ‘not admitted’ to the hospital due to the influx of patients. He then cited that those who really prefer to be admitted to PGH may create an appointment via the hospital’s outpatient department (OPD).
“Sana ay ‘yung iba na hindi naman po talaga life-threatening emergencies ay magpunta sa aming OPD. Mayroon po kaming hotline – ‘yung 155-200 para makakuha sila ng appointment. ‘Yung iba naman po kung hindi kritikal, baka pwede pong doon sa hospitals muna na malapit sa kanila (Hopefully, those who are not in life-threatening emergencies will go to our OPD. We have a hotline, it is 155-200 so they can get an appointment. The others, if they are not in critical condition, maybe they can go to the hospitals near them first),” Del Rosario added. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)