Partylist group ACT as One on Tuesday, Jan. 25 is pushing to upgrade or establish more Level 2 government hospitals in the countryside to treat individuals suffering from severe COVID-19 condition and other illnesses.
Lawyer Angelo Tapales, ACT As One third nominee, said pursuing a legislation that would ensure hospitals in the provinces to be better equipped at extending intensive care treatment is a priority of the partylist organization.
He noted that since there remains no end in sight for the pandemic, more Level 2 government hospitals or upgrading existing ones should be created.
Tapales stressed that the current surge of the Omicron variant cases is proof that the country needs to fortify the medical frontlines especially in areas where health services are scarce or far from reach of citizens.
“Ilang malulungkot na kwento na ang ating narinig tungkol sa mga kababayan nating binawian ng buhay sa daan o sa biyahe patungo sa isang ospital na malayo sa kanyang tirahan? Ang iba ay sa bangka pa nalalagutan ng hininga habang tinatawid ang karagatan para lamang magpa-ospital. (“We’ve heard many stories about countrymen who die while being rushed to hospitals that are located far from their homes.. Some die in boats that have to cross seas to get hospitalized.)” Tapales said.
“Kaya ang aming panawagan sa ACT As One, batas na magdadagdag ng mas maraming pampublikong ospital na may kakayahang lunasan ang mga severe na cases ng COVID at iba pang sakit. Investment na rin ito sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan at sa pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng maliliit na komunidad sa bansa. (That is why, ACT As One will pursue a law that will establish more public hospital that are capable of treating those who suffer from severe COVID cases and other ailments. This is also an investment for public health at for caring for the welfare of small communities in the country) ,” he added.
Hospitals, both public and private, are classified into three levels — Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Level 1 hospitals are the most basic of this kind of facility: it has no intensive care units (ICU) and can only treat patients who need minor care. Right now, these hospitals cannot care for COVID-19 patients, especially the severe cases.
Level 2 hospitals, on the other hand, do have ICUs that can treat critically ill patients and have physicians for pediatric and gynecology. Level 3 hospitals have everything Levels 1 and 2 possess, with the addition of high-level specialty intervention such as training programs for doctors, rehabilitation and dialysis units, among others.
ACT As One is running under the partylist system of representation this coming May elections. If fortunate enough to secure seats, Tapales said establishing more Level 2 hospitals will be included in their legislative priority.
DOH data released in 2018 indicate that a total of 783 hospitals, or 64% of all facilities, are Level 1 hospitals. Level 2 and Level 3 hospitals number 318 and 122, respectively, comprising 26% and 10% of all hospitals, also respectively. Though they make up only 36% of all the hospitals in the country, they are bigger and they offer more beds.
Tapales said that the situation is even more appalling in island-provinces that have no or very few Level 2 hospitals.
“Isang halimbawa nito ang isang may severe case ng COVID na galing ng Sulu o Jolo. Kailangan pang tumawid ng dagat ang isang maysakit para madala lang sa Zamboanga City Medical Center at maalagaan ng wasto,” Tapales explained.