Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) — Talks for the creation of a One Hospital Command Center in Cotabato province are underway, the country’s treatment czar said Wednesday.
Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said the command center will handle the referral of Soccsksargen’s COVID-19 patients to health facilities, including those in the Davao Region.
“Sa North Cotabato (former name of Cotabato), aming pinag-usapan na po iyan together with the One Hospital Command sa southern Mindanao na nasa Davao City na magtayo na rin ang Region 12 ng One Hospital Command,” Vega said in a media briefing.
[Translation: We, together with the One Hospital Command in southern Mindanao located in Davao City, are already discussing the establishment in Region 12 of a One Hospital Command Center.]
“Nagkakaroon ng coordination na ngayon ang Region 11 and 12 para iyong mga pasyente na nangangailangan ng critical care sa Region 12 ay mapasok sa Region 11 na may kakayahan naman ang mga hospitals doon, lalong lalo na iyong Southern Philippines Medical Center at Davao Regional Medical Center in terms of their critical care capacity,” he added.
[Translation: There is coordination now between Region 11 and 12 so the patients who need critical care in Region 12 can be accommodated in Region 11 as its hospitals, especially the Southern Philippines Medical Center and Davao Regional Medical Center, have the critical care capacity.]
The first command center was set up in Metro Manila, followed by regional sites in Calabarzon, Central Luzon, southern Mindanao, and Caraga.
Vega said 80 more personnel were hired and assigned to the National Capital Region’s command center currently housed at the Philippine International Convention Center after the referral network got overwhelmed due to a surge in COVID-19 cases two months ago.
He said the first command center now has a hotline number (1555). It can also be contacted through the following numbers:
-0919 977 3333
-0915 777 7777
-(02) 886 505 00
