The number of patients with COVID-19 in private hospitals in Metro Manila and surrounding areas is gradually increasing, according to the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPI).
“Tumataas po nang onti dahil po sa ano, lalo na po ang National Capital Region, sa surrounding areas ng Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna at saka Rizal,” said Dr. Jose Rene de Grano.
But the doctor added that the number of patients with COVID-19 in hospitals elsewhere in the country had not increased yet.
“Saka yun nga po ang ating mga pribadong hospitals po, ang mga nakahanda po yan sa mga moderate severe and critical na kaso ‘no. At if you will note, dito po sa mga lumalabas na kaso natin, although mataas talaga ang cases, number of cases, ay usually mild and asymptomatic po,” he explained.
According to De Grano, they have also advised their members to enforce safety protocols in hospitals to prevent infection strictly.
COVID-19 patients in private hospitals in NCR Plus increasing
“May mga ilang ospital po na nagkaroon [ng COVID-19] yung mga kanilang healthcare workers, siyempre po kailangan nating i-quarantine yung mga yun, lalo na yung kanilang mga direct contacts, para hindi po kumalat yung infection,” said De Grano.
“Pero karamihan naman po’y maayos pa rin at in-advise na po namin ang aming mga ospital na pag-igihing mabuti yung mga guidelines para hindi po tayo magkahawahan sa loob mismo ng mga ospital.”
De Grano also said they continue to talk to PhilHealth regarding the unpaid claims of some private hospitals.
It will be recalled that PHAPI planned a “PhilHealth holiday” in support of seven hospitals in Iloilo that no longer accredited PhilHealth due to their debts reaching P895 million.
But PHAPI did not pursue it due to the request of their patients.
De Grano said their members continue to receive PhilHealth claims from patients.
De Grano had previously said that there could be a “PhilHealth holiday” if they could not reach an agreement with the said insurer before the end of January.
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