Mary Mediatrix Hospital temporarily stops admitting patients

Lipa City, Batangas – The Mary Mediatrix Medical Center announced it would temporarily stop admitting patients beginning April 2.

The hospital’s emergency department, however, will remain open 24/7 to provide emergency for those in need.

In a statement issued at the hospital’s Facebook page Wednesday, medical director Dr. Asis Encarnacion said the COVID 19 pandemic has placed a great strain in the hospital and its whole health care system.

Hospitals have been swamped in the deluge of cases, which he said placed MMMC’s medical personnel, medical services and resources in a “critical situation.”

 “While we would like to keep on providing service to you, sadly we have reached the limits of our capability to render care that befits you,” Encarnacion said, adding that they want to ensure that the hospital’s level of patient care will not be compromised.

“That being said, it is with heavy heart that the management of the Mary Mediatrix Medical Center has come to a painful decision to stop admitting Patients temporarily.”

There’s no determined time frame yet when the temporary lockdown would be lifted.

Encarnacion however said they will be reassessing the situation on a “day to day basis” and will lift the advisory “once we have regained our capability to provide service.”

Aside from the emergency room, operations of the dialysis unit, chemotherapy and blood transfusion will continue. The Ancillary OPD Services specifically pathology, radiology and cardiovascular unit will still be open and the hospital will continue to institute measures to safeguard their patients.

MMMC likewise urged the public to to continue staying at home, practice social distancing and frequent hand washing. It said this is the only to reduce the spread of the virus.

About Jeremaiah Opiniano