Private hospitals ready for influx of patients amid intense heat – PHAPI

Private hospitals are bracing for the influx of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses as the heat index in some parts of the country continues to rise to dangerous levels, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) said Thursday.

PHAPI president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said that while there are people who are now seeking consultations amid the scorching heat, many of them do not get confined in hospitals.

"After a few hours doon sa emergency room, after stabilization, umuuwi na rin sila. So ibig sabihin no'n, hindi talagang grabe naman 'yung kondisyon nila, so pwedeng pauwiin," he said in a Balitanghali interview.

(After a few hours in the emergency room and after getting stabilized, the patients are able to go home. That means that their health conditions were not really serious, and they could be discharged within the day.)

Based on recent data by the Department of Health (DOH), a total of 34 cases of health-related illnesses were reported in Central Visayas, Ilocos Region, and Soccsksargen from Jan. 1 to April 18, 2024.

Of this number, six people have died, but the DOH said that the causes of their deaths were still being verified.

De Grano said that PHAPI has advised its member hospitals to prepare for the influx of patients since the weather became very hot, which even prompted schools to suspend face-to-face classes and offices to adjust work schedules.

"Usually, ang kailangan diyan ay ma-replace kung anuman 'yung nawala sa kanila. Usually, nade-dehydrate po sila eh because of too much sweating, sobrang init," he said.

(Usually, we just need to replace whatever the patients lost. Patients usually get dehydrated because of sweating too much due to the extreme heat.)

"Nakahanda naman usually ang mga ospital natin para ma-replace 'yan. Kinakabitan po sila ng suwero para ma-stabilize 'yung kanilang kondisyon, especially kung sobrang init. 'Yung iba, nilalagyan ng mga cold compress 'pag 'yung parang nagkakaroon ng heat stroke," he added.

(Our hospitals are ready to replace that. Patients are injected with dextrose to stabilize their condition, especially if it is too hot. Others who seem to be having heat stroke were given cold compress.)

The DOH has warned the public against heat-related illnesses that become more prevalent with extreme temperatures, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

The agency thus advised drinking lots of water and staying in cool or shaded places.

People should also limit their outdoor activities between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; use protection against sunburn such as hats, umbrellas, and sunblock; and, wear loose and lightweight clothing. — VDV, GMA Integrated News