Modular facility at the Quezon Institute in Quezon City. Image from the Facebook page of DPWH Sec. Mark Villar
MANILA, Philippines — As the government prepares for the possible surge in coronavirus infections during the holiday season, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Sunday the completion of two units of modular health facilities at the Quezon Institute compound in Quezon City.
The Quezon Institute Offsite Modular Hospital is intended for moderate to severe COVID-19 patients, and will be turned over to the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, Dec. 22, according to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.
The two units of the modular health facility have a total bed capacity of 44, and will be operated by medical teams from the DOH and Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital.
The DOH earlier said it is preparing a contingency plan for the possible surge in coronavirus infections as Filipinos celebrate the Christmas season.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also called on public and private hospitals to prepare to increase their COVID-19 bed allocation.
Aside from the modular hospitals, two dormitories with 64 beds are also set to be turned over by the DPWH. The temporary shelters will be used by medical personnel manning the operations in Quezon Institute.
DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain added that three more units of modular hospital for COVID-19 patients with 66 beds are expected to be turned over to the DOH in February 2021.
The modular hospital was designed by DPWH Task Force in coordination with DOH to have specific rooms for the donning or putting on of health care professionals’ personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable gowns, gloves, and shoe covers and area for doffing or taking off of PPEs in order to protect and limit the spread of contamination.
The field modular hospital will also have a copper tube for oxygen and tanks, a separate nursing station, equipment laboratory, pantry, storage, CCTV lines, and monitoring board.