Noting that the patient population at two major public hospitals in the province has surged to more than twice their authorized bed capacities, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan has formally appealed to Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado for urgent national government assistance to address the problem.
In her letter dated October 26, Tan sought the Department of Health’s (DOH) intervention to help Calbayog District Hospital and Samar Provincial Hospital cope with growing patient demand and the pressing need for expanded facilities, additional hospital beds, medical equipment, and healthcare personnel.
For many families in Samar, public hospitals remain their principal source of affordable medical care, making adequate hospital capacity essential to the province’s healthcare system.
‘We are confident in Secretary Mercado’s leadership and his commitment to improving public healthcare, particularly for underserved communities. We are hopeful that, with his support and the close cooperation of the DOH, our hospital administrators, and the provincial government, we can promptly address these pressing needs and provide our people with the adequate healthcare facilities and services they deserve,’ said Tan as she expressed confidence that Mercado would give the province’s urgent appeal the attention and consideration it deserves.
She emphasized that the provincial government stands ready to work closely with the DOH in identifying immediate interventions and implementing longer-term improvements to the two hospitals.
The governor’s appeal follows official hospital reports dated October 19 documenting serious congestion and operational difficulties at both facilities.
At Calbayog District Hospital, which has an authorized capacity of only 75 beds, the number of confined patients reached 181 on October 19, equivalent to 241 percent of its authorized capacity. The hospital also recorded 58 new admissions and 238 outpatient consultations that day.
According to hospital chief Dr. Jonathan Gabriel J. Paquit, the situation underscores the need for infrastructure expansion, additional equipment, a review of authorized bed capacity, and improved patient referral arrangements.
Meanwhile, Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City reported accommodating approximately 200 to 250 patients despite an authorized capacity of only 100 beds.
Dr. Jansenn Y. Mutya, officer-in-charge of Samar Provincial Hospital, reported that overcrowding has affected emergency room operations, with patients sometimes remaining in the emergency department while awaiting available beds in the wards.
The hospital has identified the need for expanded infrastructure, additional healthcare personnel, improved medical equipment, and technical support for upgrading its services.
Its development priorities include upgrading to Level 2 hospital status, establishing Level 3 clinical laboratory capability, and developing an intensive care unit.
The overcrowding problem is not new.
As early as October 2025, public reports had documented that Samar Provincial Hospital was already accommodating more than 200 patients despite its authorized capacity of only 100 beds. The latest hospital reports indicate that serious capacity constraints continue a year later.
Tan’s appeal calls attention to the urgent need for coordinated action between the DOH, its regional personnel, hospital administrators, and the Provincial Government of Samar.
Hospital officials have stressed that the problem extends beyond the shortage of beds. Overcrowding also places pressure on emergency services, medical personnel, patient monitoring, and the timely admission of patients requiring hospitalization.
Likewise, the appeal underscored the need for concrete interventions, including expanded hospital facilities, additional beds, essential medical equipment, and sufficient doctors and nurses to meet the growing demand for public healthcare services.