(Eagle News)–Private hospitals in Quezon City will now automatically refer potential and positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 to the local government.
The city government said this was agreed upon during a recent meeting between Mayor Joy Belmonte and 30 private hospitals in Quezon City, following reports some people exhibiting mild symptoms were turned away and told to monitor themselves in their homes.
This was in compliance with DOH Memorandum No. 2020-0108 issued on March 11, 2020.
“We can refer the patient to one of our quarantine facilities where they can be given immediate medical attention,” Belmonte said, noting that such a protocol would only worsen the situation as the patient could potentially spread the virus to his family and community.
During the meeting, the city government said Belmonte also assured private hospitals of full support from the local government in the fight against COVID-19.
“The local government will procure equipment such as ventilators and mobile intensive care unit (ICU), but we need the private hospitals to send some of their personnel to assist us in operating these machines,” Belmonte said.
The city government said it will also request hospitals outside Quezon City to refer to them PUIs or COVID-positive patients who are living in QC.
The local government is also working on an online system where local residents can reach out to medical personnel on their concerns about COVID-19 via video conferencing.
