Philippine General Hospital (PGH) spokesperson Dr. Jonas del Rosario said Thursday that the PGH is in gradual recovery after being struck by fire over the weekend. He said five operating rooms are currently open while its emergency room still remains closed.
“Meron kaming 5 operating rooms na hiwa-hiwalay. Hindi po sapat ‘yun pero at least nago-opera na ulit kami ulit dahil mga 30 operating rooms ang naantala. Dahil po doon unfortunately, nakasara pa rin emergency room ng PGH dahil hindi po namin kaya munang tumanggap lalo na ng pasyente nating kailangan ng emergency surgical procedures,” Del Rosario said.
Del Rosario said in an interview that they hope to accommodate patients in need of surgery by the end of the week as they expect to be able to open more operating rooms.
“Unless talagang life and limb threatening at nandito na sa amin, hindi naman po namin matatanggihan ‘yun. Unfortunately, ‘yung elective at semi-urgent sa iba muna po naming ospital pinapapunta pero ‘yung talagang emergency nandito na sa aming pinto hindi po ‘yun tatanggihan kaya nire-reserve namin ‘yung very limited operating rooms namin sa mga ganung kaso,” he added.
Meanwhile, Del Rosario clarified that they are still accepting COVID-19 patients. Coordination must be coursed through their command center by calling the hotline number 155-200.
“Mabilis na po ‘yun dahil bumaba na ang numero ng aming mga pasyente sa PGH. Ngayon po ay 110 patients na lang po out of 250 kaya maluwag po ngayon ang PGH for COVID,” he said.
A portion of the third floor of the PGH was struck by fire before dawn on Sunday, gutting its operating room supply area where instruments are sterilized and equipment are stored.
“’Yung ospital po unti-unting bumabangon. ‘Yung area na nasunog, ‘yung operating room sterilization area sa ngayon po ay patuloy ang pag-clear up sa tulong ng DPWH. ‘Yung mga operating rooms na katabi nun unfortunately hindi pa namin magamit dahil inaayos pa rin, electrical, nililinis pa kasi talagang pinasok ng usok, siyempre maaming abo doon, ‘yung amoy nandoon pa saka kailangan pa rin namin talaga ng clearance sa electrical kung pwede nang gamitin,” he said.
