MANILA, Philippines -- At least 15 major government hospitals and a health-related institution sustained damage estimated to reach at least P670 million due to the killer flash floods brought about by typhoon Ondoy, according to the Department of health.

The Amang Rodriguez Medical Center along Sumulong Highway in Marikina City, where homes were submerged in floodwaters, reported the biggest damage estimated at P380 million in equipment and infrastructure.

Another hospital in Marikina City, the Quirino Memorial Medical Center was damaged at a cost of P7.9 million.

The DOH still has to report the extent of damage sustained by private hospitals and hospitals run by local government units when typhoon Ondoy unleashed a deluge in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Due to the flashflood, hospital staff rushed to evacuate patients to higher floors, leaving vital medical equipment and supplies behind. They also had to cope without power for at least a day.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said they would like to tap the national government's calamity fund to rehabilitate the damaged DOH-run hospitals, but other agencies would also want to use the calamity fund for damaged public infrastructure and to salvage agricultural losses.

Other major public hospitals that were damaged were: the National Center for Mental Health in Mauway, Mandaluyong City at a cost of P75 million; the Tondo Medical Center in Manila, P38.18 million; and the DOH Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for drug addiction in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig, P33.7 million;

* The East Avenue Medical Center, one of the major hospitals in Quezon City, P25.5 million; the Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City, P23.2 million; San Lazaro Hospital on Quiricada St., Manila, one of the centers for infectious and communicable diseases, P17 million; Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital on Lope De Vega St., Manila, the national center for deliveries, P12 million;

* The San Lorenzo Ruiz Hospital in Naic, Cavite , P10 million; the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center along Rizal Ave., Manila, a major hospital beside the DOH headquarters, P5 million; Valenzuela Medical Center in Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, P4.25 million;

* The National Children's Hospital along E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City, P3.2 million; Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, P1.15 million; and the Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Tala, Kalookan, a principal hospital for leprosy patients, P1.05 million.

The headquarters of the National Nutrition Council in Taguig, a DOH agency, also sustained damage estimated at P32 million.