16-9-2024 (MANILA) In the early hours of Monday morning, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Taft Avenue, Manila, experienced a brief but alarming fire incident that prompted a rapid response from emergency services and hospital staff.
The blaze, which broke out in the early morning hours, initially caused concern among patients and staff, leading to a partial evacuation of the facility. However, thanks to the swift action of firefighters and hospital personnel, the situation was quickly brought under control.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire was officially declared under control at 6:47 a.m., less than an hour after the initial alarm was raised. This prompt response likely prevented what could have been a potentially catastrophic event at one of the country’s premier medical institutions.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing patients being escorted from certain areas of the hospital as a precautionary measure. The exact number of evacuees and the specific wards affected have not yet been confirmed by hospital authorities.
The Department of Health (DOH) was quick to respond to the incident, with Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa issuing a statement acknowledging the situation. “DOH is aware of the ongoing fire incident at its allied hospital, and is giving way for fire personnel to address the situation. We continue to monitor developments,” Secretary Herbosa said.
In a demonstration of inter-agency cooperation, the DOH had placed itself on standby to receive patient transfers from the UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) should the need have arisen. This preparedness highlights the importance of having contingency plans in place for such emergencies, especially in critical facilities like hospitals.
