No takers on PGH’s call for new doctors

MANILA, Philippines — The spokesperson for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) sounded the call for new doctors to apply and help the country’s premier COVID-19 referral center.

In an interview with One News’ “The Chiefs” on Monday, Dr. Jonas del Rosario lamented that their call for doctors to apply went unnoticed despite the rising number of patients there.

“We’re ready to hire new ones. So far, no takers as of last week,” Del Rosario said.

Twenty of the 25 volunteer doctors have not renewed their contracts, either to pursue subspecialty training or look for a lighter workload, he added.

Private hospitals in the country and those abroad also offer more competitive salaries, the PGH official said.

Del Rosario pleaded for the country’s doctors to help the PGH respond to the surge in cases.

“I’m calling on general practitioners, if you can spare some time, one month or even a few days, to help,” Del Rosario said.

“The salary is nothing compared with what you’re earning in private practice, but consider this as charity work. We are in a war. We really need soldiers,” he added.

Medical frontliners at PGH are “bracing” themselves for a surge in cases by sharing tasks and reassigning personnel from non-COVID wards, Del Rosario said.

PGH is also operating at full capacity, with 310 confined patients, at least 60 more waiting to be admitted in the emergency room, and at least 100 waiting in the hospital wings, Del Rosario said.

PGH has 320 beds allotted for COVID-19 patients.

At least 150 nurses have also resigned from PGH since last year and replacing them took some time, Del Rosario said.