The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has announced that its emergency room has surpassed its capacity due to an unusual increase in patient volume. In an official statement released on Monday, the hospital urged the public to seek medical attention at other healthcare institutions while its emergency services remain overwhelmed.

PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi noted that the hospital’s emergency room can accommodate approximately 70 patients at a time. Given the current overload, the hospital recommends that those needing urgent care consider alternative facilities capable of providing immediate medical support. However, the PGH emergency room will continue to accept patients in critical condition.

In coordination with the PGH’s advisory, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that 20 DOH and government-owned or controlled corporation (GOCC) hospitals across the National Capital Region are ready to admit additional patients. DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who has prior experience leading PGH’s Emergency Medical Services, specifically advised hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and healthcare providers to divert new cases away from PGH temporarily.

The DOH-listed hospitals prepared to accommodate patients include:

• Caloocan: Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium
• Las Piñas: Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
• Malabon: San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital
• Mandaluyong: National Center for Mental Health
• Manila: Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Tondo Medical Center
• Marikina: Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center
• Muntinlupa: Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
• Pasig: Rizal Medical Center
• Quezon City: East Avenue Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center
• Valenzuela: Valenzuela Medical Center

Furthermore, four GOCC hospitals in Quezon City are also available to admit patients: Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Heart Center, and Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

This joint effort seeks to efficiently manage patient inflow and ensure timely medical intervention during this period of high demand on PGH’s emergency services.