More facilities needed amid NCR hospitals’ high occupancy rates

MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday vowed to continue to build more modular hospital facilities, particularly in Metro Manila, as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

In a Laging Handa briefing, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said they are looking to build facilities that have an additional 3,000 to 4,000 bed capacity for Covid-19 patients.

“We already have 23,000 bed capacity nationwide. We expect an additional of almost 3,000-4,000 by next month. Our target is 26,000, more on the NCR (National Capital Region), since it has the highest occupancy rate,” he said.

He also reported that based on their monitoring, the bed occupancy level in Metro Manila is now at 75 percent.

“The plan to build additional facilities is to bring down to normal level occupancy lower than 60 percent is our target,” he said.

He added that they will be opening the modular hospital at Quezon Institute in Quezon City.

“We will be opening a modular hospital at Quezon Institute with 110 room facility for critical cases of Covid-19. It is an upgraded version of quarantine facilities and has high ceilings,” he said.

The facility has its own oxygen supply, nurse call buttons for patients, CCTV security camera system and dressing areas for nurses.

He said modular facilities are being built inside hospital premises per the request by hospital workers.

“We build these facilities inside hospital premises since logistically it would be very difficult if the extension venues is far from the hospital. It would be very practical for the operators if the facility is near,” he added.

Villar said it would only take 45 days to build a modular facility.