Dizon suggests increasing ICU bed allocation for COVID-19 patients

Testing czar Vince Dizon suggested increasing the 30% ICU bed allocation for COVID-19 patients as hospital utilization rises.

Dizon stated that the current 30% allocation needs to be increased to help hospitals manage the growing number of cases.

He mentioned that a referral system is in place to transfer COVID-19 patients to hospitals with available ICU beds, especially those already at full capacity.

Several hospitals in Metro Manila have reached full capacity, including St. Luke's Medical Center, The Medical City, Makati Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

The Department of Health currently requires hospitals to allocate 30% of their ICU beds for COVID-19 patients, with a possible 10% increase during surges.

Dr. Rustico Jimenez, President of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc., confirmed that private hospitals are nearing full capacity for COVID-19 cases.