City government officials have raised concerns over the availability of hospital beds for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients after several health facilities here have supposedly reached full bed capacity.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said on Tuesday he requested the Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) to review the bed capacity of hospitals to address the issue of the reported refusal of admitting Covid-19 patients.

“This is a matter of life and death. This is so serious and critical. This is one of the areas we would need your support,” Leonardia told DOH-6 Regional Director Marlyn Convocar in a virtual meeting on Monday night.

City Administrator Em Ang said the DOH guidelines for hospitals accepting Covid-19 patients should be enforced.

Although some hospitals in the city have reportedly refused to accept more patients, citing full bed capacity, data provided by the DOH-6 shows the availability of hospital beds allocated for Covid-19 patients.

During the meeting, Leonardia expressed the city’s concerns to Convocar, who said that a DOH issuance prohibits hospitals from refusing admission of Covid-19 patients.

“We will try to meet with the chiefs of these hospitals, review their dedicated beds to Covid-19, and see to it that the number of beds are really complied with,” Convocar said.

The DOH-6 chief added such refusal can have a bearing when these hospitals will apply for license renewal.

“We will send a letter immediately to all Level 2 and 3 hospitals in Bacolod City. We will reiterate that (issuance), and review the dedicated beds for Covid-19. We will still monitor the compliance with the order,” Convocar said.

In a public advisory released on Monday night, the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), a DOH hospital here, announced that they have indefinitely suspended admissions of suspect or probable Covid-19 patients.

Dr. Julius Drilon, medical center chief II, said the hospital has already reached full bed capacity allocated for patients with moderate to critical condition.

“We shall resume admissions as soon as our beds become available,” he added.

As of Tuesday morning, some 29 medical and administrative personnel of CLMMRH have tested positive for Covid-19.

These included eight doctors, four nurses, and 17 non-medical workers. (PNA)