CAPIZ – The Tapaz District Hospital in Barangay Switch is preparing for an upgrade to Level 1 status, a move expected to expand its healthcare services and improve access to medical care for residents.
Dr. Jean A. Gloria, Chief of Hospital I, said the upgrade comes at a critical time as the facility continues to experience a surge in patient admissions despite having only 25 beds. With its no-refusal policy, the hospital’s occupancy rate has reached as high as 160 percent, highlighting the urgent need for additional resources and capacity.
Currently classified as an infirmary, the hospital is unable to perform blood transfusions, major surgeries, or admit patients suffering from strokes and high-risk pregnancies. These limitations have often forced patients to seek treatment elsewhere.
Despite the constraints, Tapaz District Hospital continues to provide general medicine, pediatrics, neonatal care, obstetrics-gynecology, minor surgeries, and other essential medical services.
“The planned Level 1 upgrade will not only expand the hospital’s capacity but also bring in vital services that the people of Tapaz and nearby towns urgently need,” Gloria said in an interview with Bombo Radyo Roxas.
Local officials and health stakeholders are optimistic that the move will strengthen public healthcare delivery in Capiz, ensuring more comprehensive and timely treatment for patients./PN
