Philippine hospitals face critical PPE shortages

Health care workers in Laguna's St. Jude Family Hospital and Metro Manila hospitals are facing shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) as the number of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases rises.

In Los Baños, Laguna, medical staff resorted to using trash bags and plastic sheets as makeshift PPE due to supply exhaustion.

Dr. Rontgene Solante, a board regent of the Philippine College of Physicians, warned that PPE supplies in over 60 hospitals in Metro Manila could run out within a week if not replenished.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire acknowledged the shortage and assured equal distribution of medical supplies among hospitals.