Sea ambulances plying the waters off Quezon are helping patients in the island barangays of the province have much-needed access to medical facilities.
With the Department of Health (DOH) – funded sea ambulances, residents can now gain access to health services with faster means to transport patients during medical emergencies and a way to bring people with serious illnesses to better health care facilities.
The sea ambulance is equipped with the essential medical equipment and emergency kits that would be used during health emergencies and even rescue operations in times of sea disasters.
DOH Region 4A turned over its second sea ambulance to the local government of Calauag last February 28, 2020. The first sea ambulance was released in September 2019 to service the far-flung areas in Panukulan and the Polilio group of islands. There are 5 more sea ambulances on their way to be released.
“Unti-unti mabibigyan natin lahat ng ating island municipalities ng sea ambulance dahil ito ang kailangan upang makapagdala ng agarang lunas sa mga may karamdaman na nasa malalayong isla at upang madala sila agad sa pinakamalapit na ospital at mailigtas pa ang kanilang buhay,” DOH Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said during the blessing and turnover of the sea ambulance held at Calauag Port.
Janairo added that the sea ambulance would also provide preventive health care services such as wellness visits and standard immunizations.
“Ikakabit natin ang sea ambulance na ito sa referral system ng local na pamahalaan upang lalo pang matugunan ang mga pangangailangang pangkalusugan gaya ng facility-based deliveries dahil ito ang magdadala sa mga pasyente sa pinakamalapit na health unit o health facility,” the health official shared.
DOH says it intends to have a system for giving access and provide health services to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in the island barangays.
According to DOH Region 4A, the sea ambulance cost Php 3 million and is funded under the Health Enhancement Program.
DOH says five more sea ambulances are set to be given to other island communities of Quezon to provide isolated communities medical transport.
Sea travel is also being championed by the Department of Transportation with the Cavite-Manila ferries and Pasig River Ferry service.
The Department of Science and Technology has also announced that one of its high impact Filipino Science & Tech innovations to be made commercially available in 2020 will be the Hybrid Trimaran ship that is powered by ocean waves.
SEND CHEERS to the people of Quezon for their new sea ambulances that can give remote barangays quicker access to medical help!
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