Respiratory consultations surge in 4 Central Visayas hospitals amid haze

Local

OUTPATIENT consultations for respiratory illnesses increased by nearly 27 percent across four government hospitals in Central Visayas in the third quarter of 2026, raising concerns about the potential health effects of the ongoing haze affecting Metro Cebu.

The four hospitals recorded a combined 3,524 respiratory consultations from July to September, up from 2,778 during the same period in 2025, based on hospital data provided for the report.

Dr. Van Philip Baton, chief of the local health division of the Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-7), said the available evidence justifies treating poor air quality as a potential contributing factor to the increase and investigating it as a public health concern.

“This also provides a basis for shifting classes to modular learning when the air quality index (AQI) reaches unhealthy levels, allowing students to limit their exposure to polluted outdoor air,” Baton said.

Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, the largest government-ran hospital in the Visayas region, recorded 1,217 respiratory consultations in the third quarter, up 22 percent from 996 during the same period last year.

Its monthly figures, however, showed a decline as the quarter progressed. Consultations fell from 465 in July to 405 in August and 347 in September. The hospital recorded 300 consultations in July 2025, 285 in August and 411 in September.

Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City recorded 1,407 respiratory consultations in the third quarter, up 66 percent from 847 a year earlier.

Hospital data showed that bronchitis consultations surged 438 percent, from eight cases in the third quarter of 2025 to 43 this year.

Community-acquired pneumonia consultations rose 40 percent, from 304 to 427, while tuberculosis consultations increased 91 percent, from 171 to 327.

Respiratory tract infections climbed 114 percent, from 104 to 223, while asthma consultations increased 30 percent, from 108 to 140.

At Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, respiratory consultations rose to 353 in the third quarter from 193 during the same period last year, an increase of about 83 percent.

St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu City, meanwhile, recorded 547 respiratory consultations, down from 742 a year earlier, a decrease of about 26 percent. Its monthly figures nevertheless rose from 150 in July to 180 in August and 217 in September.

The combined figures show an overall increase in respiratory consultations across the four facilities, although the trends varied by hospital.

The data, however, do not establish that the ongoing haze caused the increase, said Baton.

“While we cannot yet directly link the increase in respiratory cases to air pollution, the situation warrants closer monitoring by the DOH and concerned stakeholders,” he explained.

Metro Cebu has experienced episodes of unhealthy air quality, prompting local governments to suspend face-to-face classes as a precaution against students’ exposure to polluted air.

Exposure to air pollution can irritate the respiratory tract and aggravate existing conditions, including asthma and other lung diseases. Children, older adults and people with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions may be particularly vulnerable.

As of October 16, AQI dipped to 157, deteriorating back to very unhealthy levels, meaning people with heart or respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should stay indoors and rest as much as possible, according to the Environmental Management Bureau-Central Visayas.(RBE)