Push Admin

Healthcare system every January ‘weaker,’ DOH says as it braces for COVID-19 surge

Article (news)

Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/09/14/20200820-covid-navotas-swab-test-7916.jpg"/><figcaption>A health worker in a PPE cools herself in front of a fan at a testing center in Navotas City. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday warned that the country’s health care system every January is “weaker,” as the country prepares for a surge in COVID-19 cases after the holidays. </p><p>In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Philippine health facilities&#x27; capacity is “usually weaker&quot; during the first month of the year. </p><p>“[It is usually in January when] training hospitals are in the transition phase where the senior residents are replaced by the newer ones. We must also take note that the staff can be on [the] end of [their] contract break or possibly the non-renewal [of] job orders,” Vergeire explained. </p><p>The health official added that January has usually been the month where more patients suffering from non-communicable diseases — such as hypertension and diabetes — needed to be admitted in hospitals. </p><p>“There are usually more consults and admissions for non-communicable diseases during this time such as hypertension and diabetes.” </p><p>Experts earlier warned the public about the possible onset of holiday heart syndrome, stroke, and other heart disorders as Filipinos participate in holiday feasts. </p><div><strong>RELATED STORIES: </strong></div><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/12/08/20/doctors-warn-public-vs-holiday-heart-syndrome-stroke-amid-covid-19-pandemic">Doctors warn public vs ‘holiday heart syndrome,’ stroke amid COVID-19 pandemic</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/17/20/spike-in-covid-19-cases-seen-in-several-ph-areas-as-holiday-activities-mount-doh">Spike in COVID-19 cases seen in several PH areas as holiday activities mount — DOH</a></li></ul><p>Dir. Gerardo Legaspi of the Philippine General Hospital, also said that more non-coronavirus patients have gone to the hospitals recently, and the anticipated surge would risk the quality of service in health facilities because of the heavy workload. </p><p>“Ang kinaibahan ngayon ay dumadami na po ang non-COVID patients na pumupunta sa mga ospital kumpara sa COVID (patients), so siguro mararamdaman ng maraming ospital na bumibigat ang load ng pasyente sa non-COVID at maaaring makalimita ito sa kapasidad ng ospital na makapagbigay ng serbisyo sa COVID patients,” said Legaspi. </p><p>(The difference today is that there are more non-COVID-19 patients going to hospitals compared to COVID-19 patients. Maybe hospitals could feel the heavier load with non-COVID-19 patients and would limit the capacity of hospitals to provide services to COVID-19 patients.) </p><p>The DOH already <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/17/20/spike-in-covid-19-cases-seen-in-several-ph-areas-as-holiday-activities-mount-doh">noted</a> an uptick of new COVID-19 infections in several areas in the Philippines as more Filipinos participate in holiday activities. </p><p>The agency cited the public&#x27;s &quot;decreasing adherence&quot; to physical distancing in malls, holiday sales in open spaces, and other activities that increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. </p><p>In August, President Rodrigo Duterte reverted Metro Manila and surrounding provinces to modified enhanced community quarantine following the request of medical societies for a &quot;timeout&quot; and &quot;breathing space&quot; as they warned the health care system was at a breaking point. </p><p>Frontline medical workers aired their plea after witnessing weary hospital personnel handle the surge in COVID-19 cases. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/06/20/doh-says-to-hire-thousands-of-health-workers-during-14-day-timeout-under-mecq">READ: DOH says to hire thousands of health workers during 14-day ‘timeout’ under MECQ</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8KlXOIzSgTE?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday warned that the country’s health care system every January is “weaker,” as the country prepares for a surge in COVID-19 cases after the holidays. </p>

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday warned that the country’s health care system every January is “weaker,” as the country prepares for a surge in COVID-19 cases after the holidays.

Healthcare system every January ‘weaker,’ DOH says as it braces for COVID-19 surge

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

Healthcare system every January ‘weaker,’ DOH says as it braces for COVID-19 surge

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 17, 2020 05:32 PM PHT

|

Updated December 17, 2020 05:43 PM PHT

Read More:

COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic

coronavirus

pandemic

COVID-19 surge

surge in COVID-19 cases

Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire

Vergeire

surge

DOH

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.