Adi Joaquim Tolentino

The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) temporarily halted patient admissions on Thursday, March 27, 2025, after its emergency room reached critical overcapacity, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to intervene by directing patients to other government hospitals.

Photo Courtesy of Diskurso PH.

According to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa in a statement, the DOH is working closely with UP-PGH to transfer patients to other DOH-accredited hospitals across Metro Manila to alleviate the congestion. 

“We are already talking to UP-PGH for the possible transfer of their current patients to [other] DOH hospitals,” Herbosa said.

The directive affects hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and doctors, instructing them to refrain from bringing new patients to UP-PGH until the situation stabilizes and be sent to other DOH-accredited facilities.

"All hospitals, clinics, ambulances and doctors are advised to refrain from bringing new patients to UP-PGH, and to bring them to DOH hospitals first," he added.

UP-PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario said they had to implement a code triage system to prioritize acute and life-threatening emergencies.

“We’re hoping that within a week, ayos na ‘yung problem. And once ‘yung ating problema ay na-solve, then we will announce again to the public na tapos na ‘yung overcapacity,” Del Rosario said.

A code triage is a hospital protocol used during emergencies or when resources are limited, in which patients are categorized and prioritized based on the severity of their conditions. This will ensure that those with life-threatening cases receive immediate attention.

According to the DOH, an investigation by the UP-PGH management revealed no unusual or dangerous reasons for the situation.

The public was advised to contact the DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development via mobile numbers 0956-1753710 or 0920-2511800 before bringing patients to accredited hospitals.

The DOH-accredited hospitals in Metro Manila include Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Caloocan; Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center in Las Piñas; San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon; National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong; Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and Tondo Medical Center in Manila; Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina; Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa; Rizal Medical Center in Pasig; East Avenue Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Heart Center, and Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City; and Valenzuela Medical Center in Valenzuela.

The University of the Philippines system faces a P2.08 billion budget cut for the academic year 2024-2025, the largest in nearly two decades.

This reduction is expected to strain the operations of UP-PGH, potentially limiting its capacity to provide quality healthcare and maintain essential services.