The Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against Covid-19 (HPAAC) on Friday warned the ongoing surge in Covid-19 infections around the country could be a grim indication that worst is yet to come.
“The pandemic will get more serious,” co-convener Dr. Maricar Limpin said during the group’s media briefing, adding that their worst fears may already be unfolding, as she explained that the health-care system could no longer respond to rising Covid cases.
On Friday, the Department of Health (DOH) logged 20,310 cases, the country’s second-highest daily total, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 2,040,568. There were also 7,710 recoveries and 193 deaths.
HPAAC also called on the government to come up with “permanent solutions” to the pandemic.
“These lockdowns are just band aid solutions,” Limpin stressed.
Tired, crying and angry
In a news statement read during the briefing, the HPAAC pointed out that the health-care system could no longer appropriately respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group said that hospital emergency departments are mostly in full capacity, while some patients are waiting in the hallways and parking lots of the hospitals.
“Maraming hindi na nakakaabot at namamatay na lamang sa bahay o sa sasakyan habang palipat-lipat na naghahanap ng bakanteng kama [Many patients have died in their houses or vehicles without even obtaining a hospital bed],” the group said.
They stressed that most of the health-care workers (HCWs) are tired, crying and angry.
“Nagdudugo ang puso namin, at humihingi kami ng patawad, sa mga pasyenteng kinakailangang tanggihan dahil di na kayang ma-admit [Our hearts are bleeding, and we apologize to the patients for we couldn’t admit you anymore],” they added.
Strengthen health-care system capacity in regions
Dr. Gregorio Ocampo, president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, meanwhile, called on the government to also provide the necessary medical equipment like ventilators and oxygen supply.
He, however, did not give the exact numbers of ventilators and oxygen that hospitals in the provinces need.
“The chest physicians are complaining of lack of ventilators and oxygen in the provinces. While in Metro Manila, their need can easily be provided, our fellow doctors in the provinces are also hoping that they will be provided with adequate help for them to fight this pandemic,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English as he underscored the need to strengthen the health-care system capacity in the provinces.
Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire assured, “We are one with HPAAC.”
She said that the DOH is helping the hospitals, especially the small treatment facilities.
Image courtesy of Roy Domingo and Nonie Reyes