THE Department of Health (DOH) called on private hospitals in the country to comply with the prescribed Covid-19 bed allocation under its Administrative Order (AO) 2020-016 in preparation for the potential surge of coronavirus infections after the holidays.
“Nananawagan po kami sa mga pribadong ospital na tumalima sa minamandatong Covid-19 bed allocation,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday, December 9.
The DOH in July amended AO 2020-016, which sets minimum health system capacity standards for both private and public sectors involved in the Covid-19 response.
In the amended AO, public hospitals are directed to allocate at least 30 percent of its total bed capacity for Covid-19 cases, while private hospitals should allot at least 20 percent.
As of December 7, DOH recorded a nationwide average of 30 percent hospital bed allocation in public hospitals and 13 percent for private.
“Kahit may mga pribadong ospital po na nakakasunod sa mandated allocation, sa kabuuan, Region 13 pa lamang po ang may sapat na bilang ng allocated beds sa kanilang mga pam-pribdaong ospital. We would like to commend private hospitals na nakakasunod sa mandatong ito,” Duque said.
In his meeting Wednesday with the AC Health management, the Ayala group explained to Duque its recent expansions in the Covid bed capacity of hospitals located in key areas of Laguna and Bulacan to assist the government mitigate the further spread of Covid-19.
Duque was pleased to hear the initiatives and lauded the private company for increasing the Covid bed capacities in their hospitals way beyond the mandated 20 percent. He noted that the management's decision to go beyond what is mandated truly helps in alleviating the health system capacity of our nation.
“We are thankful for going above and beyond what is required and for providing access to not only Covid-19 patients, but also to those who suffer from other illnesses. We hope it serves as a reminder that Covid-19 is not a fight of any one person but is ours as a collective, and we will only be able to subdue it through open collaboration and partnership with other sectors to ensure the delivery of quality and affordable health care,” he said.
Duque also emphasized the importance of private sector initiatives and cooperation, and reiterated his call for private hospitals to adhere to the prescribed Covid-19 bed allocation.
He also reported that the DOH Executive Committee has directed the One Hospital Command Center and the DOH Health Regulations Team to develop and execute strategies ensuring that hospitals comply with the mandated Covid-19 bed allocation.
“Everyone now is preparing for the holidays. While the DOH, the government and the IATF respond to the situation, implement measures to increase Covid-19 response capacity, and mitigate risks of Covid-19 transmission, our health system capacity should also ensure its continued preparation for a possible post-holiday surge. We should prepare for possible scenarios,” he added. (PR)