The provincial government is finding ways to accommodate all patients at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in this capital city after a surge in the number of patients, many of whom fear they contracted dengue.
Dr. Liland Estacion, Integrated Provincial Health Office chief, said in an interview with reporters Thursday that the Department of Health-accredited number of beds at NOPH is only 250.
“But we currently have some 600 patients at the NOPH, and about 80 additional in the emergency room,” Estacion said.
She added that patients with dengue symptoms seek early consultation, and even want immediate hospital admission. Others come from nearby provinces like Siquijor, for treatment of other diseases.
Estacion said the surge was noted early this week, although it is a “perennial problem” for NOPH to accommodate as many people as possible, despite the limited number of beds, as they could not turn away patients as mandated by the law.
One approach to decongesting the NOPH, she said, is to review the referral system from the different District Hospitals and Community Primary Hospitals in the towns and cities.
During a meeting with hospital heads on Wednesday, Estacion said patients in rural areas must first go through consultation and diagnosis at the nearest health center, which would refer them to NOPH if necessary.
Cases with mild symptoms have to be treated at primary health care facilities to avoid overcrowding at the Provincial Hospital, Estacion said.
Cities with the highest reported dengue cases are Guihulngan, followed by Bayawan, Bais, and Dumaguete. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
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Photo Caption: Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria checks on patients camped on cots under tents at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital amid the unusually-high admission rate due to the mosquito-borne dengue virus. (Negros Oriental PIO photo)
