Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo today announced that the air ambulance has resumed its regular flight and has been serving emergency patients in remote and far-flung areas in Palawan since August 15, 2017.
“The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has already issued the Airworthiness Certification meaning the aircraft is now in a condition allowing for safe operation. All the needed parts were replaced and the aircrafts were duly inspected and 100% fit to fly,” Dr. Janairo stated.
“We now have a new Globe Hotline 0917-5531651 for the air ambulance which will be open 24/7 to accommodate text/call of patients needing emergency assistance. The Smart Hotline 09985492585 will still remain in effect,” he added,
Under Republic Act 9497, the CAAP has the authority to regulate air transportation in the country to ensure the safety, quality and reliability of air transport services for the riding public.
According to Janairo, the DOH-MIMAROPA air ambulance averages 2-3 flights a day. There are now a total of 99 patients transported by the two air ambulances from February 9 – July 31, 2017. Among the regular patients transported were from the islands of Cuyo, Magsaysay, Balabac, and Brooke’s Point in Palawan. Even emergency patients from nearby Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi are being transported and brought to the nearest health facility in Palawan.
“We are also expecting a plane donation, one Cessna 182Q aircraft from a non-government international organization based the United States that may also be used in transporting emergency patients in MIMAROPA,” Janairo disclosed.
“And if there are good Samaritans out there who could lend us a sea plane that can be used to transport patients in island barangays where there are no possible airstrip or airfield to land, we will be very pleased to accommodate,” he implored.
The air ambulance was made possible through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on February 8, 2017 by DOH-MIMAROPA and the Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services, Incorporated (PAMAS) with headquarters located in Brooke’s Point, Palawan
