The Samar Provincial Hospital (SPH), a 100-bed Level 1 facility based in the provincial capital of Catbalogan City, has reached full capacity as of October 7, 2025, with 275 patients currently admitted – nearly triple its intended capacity – as the province grapples with increasing healthcare demands.
In an advisory, hospital management confirmed that all wards are fully occupied, forcing staff to place new admissions in temporary holding areas while awaiting available beds.
Doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and other health personnel continue to provide care despite limited space and resources. ‘We are ensuring that all patients receive proper attention even with the shortage of hospital beds,’ the hospital said in a statement.
The advisory also urged the public to seek early medical consultation at the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD) to avoid worsening conditions that could require admission.
The overcrowding at the Samar Provincial Hospital reflects the broader strain on healthcare facilities across Eastern Visayas.
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Earlier, the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City – the region’s largest government hospital – issued a similar advisory, warning that its wards and emergency rooms were accommodating more patients than their capacity allows.
Aside from the 100-bed provincial hospital, the Samar provincial government also operates one 75-bed district hospital, two 25-bed district hospitals, and a 10-bed municipal hospital – totaling just 235 government hospital beds for the entire province.