The Samar Provincial Hospital (SPH) in Catbalogan City is grappling with severe overcrowding, with its patient load surging to nearly three times its intended capacity.
In an advisory issued on October 9, the hospital said all its 100 regular beds are now fully occupied, with 275 patients currently being attended to forcing medical staff to set up temporary arrangements for those urgently needing admission.
“For those who urgently need admission, temporary arrangements are being made while waiting for regular wards to become available,” the advisory stated.
Hospital officials assured the public that doctors, nurses, and other health workers are doing their best to provide adequate care despite the congestion and limited space.
The hospital also urged residents to seek early medical consultation through the outpatient department (OPD) to prevent further strain on the facility.
“We thank everyone for their continued understanding and cooperation,” the statement added.
Bed Shortage Crisis
The Samar Provincial Hospital, a Level 1 public hospital serving over 806,000 residents across the province, has long been operating beyond capacity.
It offers essential services such as surgery, maternity care, laboratory testing, imaging, and pharmacy services.
However, the facility’s limited 100-bed capacity has proven insufficient for the province’s growing healthcare demand.
Samar’s entire public hospital network including district hospitals in Calbayog City, Gandara, and Basey, and a 10-bed municipal hospital in Tarangnan, providing only 236 beds in total.
This means the province’s hospital bed-to-population ratio stands at roughly 1:3,430, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended 1:1,000 ratio for adequate healthcare coverage.
The provincial government has been pushing to address the shortage.
A proposed measure seeks to upgrade the hospital into the Samar Island Medical Center, expanding its authorized bed capacity from 100 to 300 beds and elevating its classification to a Level 2 hospital.
The move aims to strengthen medical services and decongest existing facilities.
Strain on Staff and Services
Hospital administrators admit the situation has put enormous pressure on healthcare workers, who are stretched thin as they attend to patients in hallways, temporary wards, and other improvised spaces.
The overcrowding also increases the risk of hospital-acquired infections and compromises patient comfort and privacy.
Dr. Maribeth Pedrigal, hospital chief, earlier acknowledged that SPH routinely handles double or triple its intended patient load, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure expansion.
Governor Sharee Ann Tan has likewise expressed support for the upgrade, saying it will “greatly improve the province’s health service delivery.”
While plans for expansion are underway, the hospital continues to appeal for public cooperation.
Early consultation and preventive care, officials said, remain crucial in easing the province’s ongoing hospital crisis.
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