NCR hospitals see increase in non-Covid-19 cases

NPNRC, formerly known as One Hospital Command, refers Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients to their local hospitals and coordinates health facilities within the NCR. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Hospital admissions of non-coronavirus cases have increased in the National Capital Region (NCR), the National Patient Navigation and Referral Center (NPNRC) said Friday.

NPNRC, formerly known as One Hospital Command, refers Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients to their local hospitals and coordinates health facilities within the NCR.

In a televised public briefing, NPNRC operations manager, Dr. Bernadette Velasco, said the utilization rate of the region’s healthcare system is going up due to non-Covid-19 cases.

“Katulad po ng experience natin before na ‘pag bumaba po ang Covid cases, medyo tumataas po ang mga non-Covid cases because dito po nakakapagkonsulta ang chronic diseases natin or uncontrolled na sakit ng tao (Like what we’ve experienced before, when the Covid cases went down, the non-Covid cases went up because people consult about their chronic disease or uncontrolled sicknesses in hospitals),” she said.

Earlier, Philippine General Hospital spokesperson, Jonas del Rosario, said their emergency room is operating at 200 percent over capacity with majority of patients suffering from diseases not related to Covid-19.

The PGH’s emergency room has a regular capacity of 70 patients but currently attends to 120 to 150 patients daily.

“Within NCR we also maximize the use of our health facilities so that di po lahat pupunta sa specialized cares tulad ng (Within NCR, we also maximize the use of health facilities so not all patients go to specialized care like the) Philippine General Hospital,” Velasco said.

Apart from referring patients to health facilities, the NPNRC has expanded its services by providing telemedicine or teleconsultation and other forms of medical assistance it could provide the community.

“Kung kailangan po nila ng assistance para sa kanilang bills sa hospitals, coordinate namin sila sa Malasakit Centers or sa mga agencies na puwede mag-provide ng (If they need assistance for their hospital bills, we coordinate them to Malasakit centers or agencies that can provide) financial assistance,” she added.

The public may reach the NPNRC 24/7 at 09199773333 (Smart) and 0915777777 (Globe).