KOICA-Supported Philippine State Hospital Contributes to Crisis Overcome as Dedicated COVID-19 Response Hospital

Continuous Post-Support Since Establishment in 2002... Designated as the Only COVID-19 Dedicated Hospital in Cavite Province, Philippines
Additional Protective Equipment and Emergency Medicines Delivered to Hospital on the 1st

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) announced on the 1st that the Korea-Philippines Friendship Hospital, established by KOICA in 2002 in Cavite Province, south of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, has been operating as the only dedicated hospital for COVID-19 testing and treatment in Cavite Province since March.

Additionally, on the 1st (local time), KOICA delivered COVID-19 response supplies worth $50,000 (approximately 60 million KRW) to the Korea-Philippines Friendship Hospital to support the Philippines' efforts to overcome COVID-19. The delivered supplies include seven types of protective equipment such as protective suits and medical masks to prevent infection among medical staff, as well as 29 types of emergency medicines.

Since 1999, KOICA has continuously supported the Korea-Philippines Friendship Hospital for the past 20 years to grow as a regional base hospital. After establishing the hospital with 100 beds in 2002, an outpatient ward with three floors (pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology) was added in 2008. In 2012, a public health center was built to equip the hospital with capabilities for basic medical services as well as infectious disease research and treatment. Indirect support was also provided through dispatching volunteer workers and linking exchanges with Korean civil society.

In particular, the research facilities supported at the public health center have played a significant role as a community cooperation hub for infectious disease response, including large-scale COVID-19 testing, sample storage, and pneumonia diagnosis.

As of the 30th of last month, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines exceeded 35,000, making the country one of the Southeast Asian nations with the highest number of confirmed cases. The daily new cases reached a record high of 1,150 on the 23rd, and since then, more than 500 new cases per day have been reported, increasing the spread. As of the end of May, about 2,300 medical personnel, accounting for approximately 17% of the total confirmed cases, have been infected, raising concerns about medical service gaps.

Meanwhile, the donation ceremony held at the Korea-Philippines Friendship Hospital on the 1st was attended by Han Dong-man, Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines; Song Min-hyun, Director of KOICA Philippines Office; Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr., Governor of Cavite Province; and hospital officials.

Governor Remulla of Cavite Province said, “We have faced great difficulties in securing protective equipment and medicines for medical personnel amid the COVID-19 situation,” adding, “Not only this supply support but also the 20 years of health and medical support from the Korean government have been a great strength in protecting the lives of Cavite residents and the medical staff of the Korea-Philippines Friendship Hospital.”

Han Dong-man, Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines, stated, “The Korea-Philippines Friendship Hospital, established with KOICA’s support, has grown into one of the top 10 public hospitals in the Philippines, treating over 100,000 patients annually,” and added, “We will continue to seek ongoing support to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to respond to infectious diseases such as COVID-19.”

KOICA is currently discussing additional support measures with the hospital, including the establishment of screening clinics and negative pressure rooms, to strengthen the Korea-Philippines Friendship Hospital’s mid- to long-term infectious disease response capabilities.