The South Cotabato Medical Society (SCMS) sought the intervention of the provincial government of South Cotabato and other government agencies as they called on other private hospitals in the province to allocate hospital beds to covid-19 patients as covid hospitals are near full capacity due to surge cases.
SCMS Outgoing President Dr. Rachelle Suarez said, there is a need for the government to intervene with other private hospitals in the province to accommodate hospital beds for covid patients.
“We understand these hospitals have their own reasons but since we are on a surge, we should help each other,” Suarez said,
She pointed out that only three hospitals in the province, namely; the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH), SOCSKSARGEN General Hospital (SGH), and the Doctors Arturo P. Pingoy Medical Center (DAPPMC) that cater to Covid-19 patients.
Reports coming from the South Cotabato Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) states that, as of June 09, 2021, there is a recorded 51 new confirmed COVID-19 cases which brings the total cases to 4,737.
Presently, there are at least 1,118 active cases in the province.
Dr. Noel Pingoy, President of the Association of all Internists in the region disclosed that hospitals in General Santos City are now in full capacity but 40 percent of the patients are not from Gensan. Instead, most of these came from the neighboring areas of South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
Pingoy called on the Department of Health and the PGSC to look into the matter and ask other hospitals such as the Socomedics and the Allah Valley Hospital in Koronadal City to allocate beds for covid patients.
South Cotabato Hospital Covid-19 Bed Utilization Rate is now in Danger Zone as Covid-19 beds have a 92.39 percent utilization rate since out of the 92-bed capacity, 85 beds were already occupied.
ICU beds are also in the Danger zone as the utilization rate reaches 90.91 percent, out of the 11 beds, 19 were occupied.
The dialysis slot is on warning zone which covers 33.33 percent, out of the 3 slots, 1 was occupied.
A mechanical ventilator is also in the warning zone with 36.33 percent out of 11, 4 were occupied.
“The surge is so real that we need additional equipment such as ventilators, hospital beds, and health care personnel in the hospitals.” He said,
He added that if hospital services are improved in the province, it could ease out the need to bring covid patients to other neighboring health facilities, such as in Gensan.
“We appeal to the provincial government to help us. As always, we never said “No” to the call to help others.” Pingoy said,
