THE Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is currently being overwhelmed with a large number of patients filling its Emergency Room (ER).
In a public announcement, the PGH announced that it is unable to accommodate more patients in its ER, except for those in critical condition.
"Nais naming ipaalam sa inyo na ang aming Emergency Room ay kasalukuyang higit na sa kapasidad dahil sa mataas na bilang ng mga pasyenteng dumarating," said the PGH.
(We would like to inform you that our Emergency Room is currently over capacity due to the high number of incoming patients.)
"Nananatiling bukas ang emergency room namin para sa mga pasyenteng nasa kritikal na kalagayan," it added.
(Our emergency room remains open for patients in critical condition.)
And with its ER now overwhelmed, the PGH urged the public to seek medical services from other hospitals.
"Sa ngayon, hinihikayat namin kayong maghanap muna ng ibang ospital na maaaring magbigay ng agarang serbisyo sa inyo," said PGH.
(For now, we encourage you to seek other hospitals that may be able to provide you with immediate care.)
The Department of Health (DOH) immediately offered to aid the PGH, saying it will make available at least 20 of its hospitals in the National Capital Region.
"Bukas at handa ang mga DOH hospital para tanggapin ang mga pasyenteng hindi muna matatanggap sa PGH dahil sa panandaliang pagkapuno ng ER nito," said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa in a statement.
(DOH hospitals are open and ready to receive patients who cannot be accommodated at PGH for the meantime due to the temporary full capacity of its Emergency Room.)
"Inaabisuhan po ang lahat ng mga ospital, klinika, ambulansya at doctor na iwasan munang magdala ng bagong pasyente sa PGH, at sa mga DOH hospital muna dalhin," he added.
(All hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and doctors are advised to refrain from bringing new patients to PGH for now and instead bring them to DOH hospitals.)
Included in the list are the Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Heart Center, and Philippine Children's Medical Center.
Also made available are the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Calooocan City; Las Pinas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center in Las PiƱas City; San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City; National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City; and Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and Tondo Medical Center in Manila City.
The DOH also opened Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City; Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City; Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City; Valenzuela Medical Center in Valenzuela City; and East Avenue Medical Center, National Children's Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic Center, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)