Quezon City — The Department of Health has placed key specialty hospitals on heightened alert as the holiday season brings a predictable rise in medical emergencies, assuring the public that both the Philippine Heart Center and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute are fully prepared to respond to urgent cases.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa personally visited the two hospitals this week as part of the DOH’s Ligtas Christmas campaign, an annual initiative aimed at ensuring hospital readiness during periods associated with increased health risks, including fireworks-related injuries, road crashes, and complications from non-communicable diseases.
According to the DOH, the Philippine Heart Center is bracing for a possible spike in cardiovascular emergencies, particularly heart attacks, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and bronchial asthma. The agency noted that such cases typically increase during the holidays due to dietary excess, stress, air pollution, and disrupted routines.
The hospital’s capacity to manage stroke cases was reinforced earlier this year when it was recognized as one of the country’s Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals, a designation that reflects its ability to provide rapid diagnosis and immediate initial treatment to stroke patients. In addition, the PHC’s Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services center remains operational to deliver immediate care for patients with minor to moderate emergencies, including fireworks injuries, vehicular accidents, and asthma attacks, which historically peak during New Year celebrations.
At the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, emergency services are likewise on standby not only for renal-related cases but also for non-renal emergencies throughout the holidays. Hospital officials reported that from December 21, 2024, to January 6, 2025, the facility recorded a significant number of patients presenting with difficulty of breathing, underscoring the seasonal strain on emergency departments.
NKTI Executive Director Dr. Jose Dante P. Dator said the institute is prepared to expand its bed capacity should patient admissions surge, ensuring that no critical case is left unattended during the holiday period.
To further strengthen response capability, NKTI is coordinating closely with East Avenue Medical Center and the Philippine Heart Center to manage any overflow of patients, particularly those suffering from fireworks-related injuries, road crash trauma, heart disease, acute stroke, and bronchial asthma.
The DOH reiterated its call for the public to celebrate responsibly, emphasizing that while hospitals are ready, preventing avoidable injuries and illnesses remains the most effective way to keep the holidays safe for everyone.
