66 health workers from Visayas to assist NCR+

 MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – A total of 66 health care workers (HCWs) from the Visayas composed of 11 doctors, 35 nurses and four medical technologists from Region 7 and 15 nurses and one doctor from DOH-8 were deployed to the National Capital Region Plus (NCR+) to assist in the management of an overwhelmed health care system in the area.

In a sendoff event of the HCWs from Central Visayas, Wednesday led by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) with local and DOH officials, secretary Michael Lloyd Dino said that he is once again thankful and proud of DOH-7 led by Regional Director Jaime Bernadas for actively heeding to the call of the President and Senator Bong Go because DOH-7 is now sending healthcare workers to help in the overwhelmed public hospitals in NCR+.

“They are our very own heroes. I believe they have undergone testing and orientation and are ready for deployment to the National Kidney Transplant Institute; Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center; Lung Center of the Philippines; Rizal Medical Center; and Tondo Medical Center,” Dino bared.

Dino especially mentioned the efforts and support of the Visayas local chief executives and Malasakit hospitals and the private sector’s Project Balik Buhay (PBB) to aid the efforts of DOH and responding to his call to render as much help as they can to manage the pandemic and hasten economic recovery in the Visayas.

Dino went on that these partners have supported all efforts from mass testing, to temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, then the Visayas COVID-19 Vaccination Operations center, and still “they are with us in our efforts in giving assistance to NCR+.”

“I would like to acknowledge our 1st batch of health workers composed of: 11 Doctors; 35 Nurses; and 4 Medical Technologists. Thank you for coming forward in this difficult time when our country and our people need you,” Dino added.

Dino said that he is extra proud to be Bisaya, because it’s the Bisaya now that are helping the people in Luzon. Brave and ready to face the challenge head on.  DOH Region 8 has also responded to the call and are now rounding up their healthcare workers for deployment to NCR Plus. They are sending 15 nurses and 1 doctor.

“In total, we have 66 medical personnel from Visayas bound for NCR+. While Western Visayas is still currently addressing their increasing number of cases, where we have also sent assistance previously.  We will also continue to support them until their situation gets better,” he added.

Dino also assured the public that the health system here is very well capable of handling possible spike of COVID cases.  He bared that even at the height of the surge this year, the critical care utilization rate never went beyond 57percent and the safety threshold is 70 percent and now, the capacity utilization rate is just at 28 percent.

Apart from sending 50 valiant health care workers to NCR+ region 7 is also sending 100 vials of Remdesivir and 10 vials of Tocilizumab medicine for the COVID-Patients from VSMMC and Dr. Gerry Aquino that have been one with the team in this fight from the start, Dino stated.

DOH-Central Visayas will also be sending blood and blood products, especially convalescent plasma units, for COVID-19 management. DOH-7, thru Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, its chief pathologist and VVOC Spokesperson has previously sent blood units due to scarcity of blood products in NCR+, another consequence of the resurgence.

“To all who have contributed to this endeavor so that we will be able to augment government efforts in NCR+, my deepest gratitude and appreciation,” Dino said. (Photos: OPAV)