Hospital bed shortage hits Oriental Mindoro

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — All public hospitals run by the provincial government are operating well beyond their authorized bed capacity due to various types of illnesses, resulting in a total shortage of 187 beds as of Wednesday, Sept. 2, according to data from the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Health Office (PHO).

“All five hospitals are functioning beyond their limits, which stretches medical personnel, equipment, and space to the breaking point,” PHO head Dr. Cielo Ante told the Inquirer on Friday, Sept. 4.

Ante said the reasons for hospitalization include chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as respiratory infections, including cough and flu among children.

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Combined, the five provincial health facilities have an authorized capacity of only 293 beds, but a total of 480 beds are currently occupied, translating to an overall occupancy rate of 163.8 percent.

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The heaviest strain is seen at the Oriental Mindoro Southern District Hospital (OMSDH), which has just 46 authorized beds but is caring for 129 patients, resulting in a deficit of 83 beds.

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The Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital (OMPH) in Calapan City, the province’s main referral hospital, is short of 51 beds, with 233 patients occupying space meant for 182. The Oriental Mindoro Central District Hospital (OMCDH) follows with a 43-bed shortage, serving 79 patients in a facility designed for 36.

Even smaller community hospitals are overwhelmed, with Naujan Community Hospital over capacity by nine beds and Bulalacao Community Hospital by one.

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The bed shortage raises concerns over patient comfort, infection control, and the hospitals’ ability to accommodate new admissions, particularly amid ongoing health challenges and weather-related incidents across the province.

But Ante said the provincial government is currently constructing additional hospital wards and continuously hiring additional health workers.

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“The PGOM also initiated efforts for the Mimaropa Regional Hospital in Brgy. Ilaya, which will give us an additional 300 to 500-bed capacity,” Ante said.

The hospitals also admitted suspected cases of leptospirosis following recent flooding in several areas of the province. INQ /mr