Quezon City, 30 hospitals partner for COVID-19 patient management

The Quezon City government and 30 private hospitals have partnered to manage patients under investigation (PUIs) and those who are COVID-19 positive, aiming to prevent further spread of the virus.

This agreement addresses Mayor Joy Belmonte's concern that the Department of Health's previous guideline of sending mild-symptom patients home for self-isolation could worsen the outbreak.

Under the new pact, hospitals will immediately report symptomatic patients to the city government instead of advising home quarantine.

Patients will then be referred to city-managed quarantine facilities for prompt medical attention.

The city government will procure essential medical equipment like ventilators and mobile ICUs, with private hospitals expected to provide personnel to operate them.

Quezon City will also request hospitals in other cities to direct their Quezon City resident patients to the local government for care.

Additionally, the city is developing a telemedicine online platform for residents to consult doctors remotely, aiming to reduce hospital influx and streamline consultations.