PGH again turns away emergency patients

The Department of Health (DOH) has designated other government hospitals in Metro Manila to receive patients after the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila said it would temporarily stop accepting emergency patients, except with acute life-threatening illnesses.
In a statement, the DOH said that upon investigation by the PGH management, “no unusual or dangerous reasons were found for this situation, and the number may also decrease after a few days.”
“We are already talking to PGH for the possible transfer of their current patients to DOH hospitals,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who was once the chief of the PGH department of emergency medical services.
“All hospitals, clinics, ambulances and doctors are advised to refrain from bringing new patients to PGH, and to bring them to DOH hospitals first,” the secretary said.
The DOH said the Metro Manila Center for Health Development should also be contacted first, if possible, before transferring the patient.
The designated government hospitals in Metro Manila where patients can be brought first are: Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Caloocan City; Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center; San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City; National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City; Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City; Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City; Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City; and Valenzuela Medical Center.