Emergency!
That was the cry of the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City following a deluge of patients seeking medical care, straining its resources and capacity.
In an advisory issued Thursday October 9, the hospital reported that all its 100 regular beds are fully occupied, with a total of 275 patients now being attended to.
This is nearly nearly three times its intended capacity.
However, hospital management has assured the public that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are doing their best to provide adequate care for all patients despite the overcrowding and limited space.
“For those who urgently need admission, temporary arrangements are being made while waiting for regular wards to become available,” the advisory said.
The hospital also urged residents to seek early consultation through the outpatient department (OPD) before their conditions become severe, to prevent further congestion in the facility.
“We thank everyone for their continued understanding and cooperation,” the hospital added.
SPH is a Level 1 public hospital serving 806,179 residents across the province of Samar.
A Level 1 hospital is the most basic type of general hospital, providing essential services and facilities like an operating room, recovery room, maternity facilities, a functional clinical laboratory, an imaging facility, and a pharmacy.
Aside from the provincial hospital, Samar has three district hospitals in Calbayog City and the towns of Basey and Gandara, with a combined bed capacity of 126.
There is also a municipal hospital in Tarangnan with a 10-bed capacity.
The entire province has a total hospital bed capacity of 236, which means that the hospital bed and population ratio is 1:3,430, below than the 1:1,000 ratio recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) for the country.
(With report from PNA)
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