Department of Health Regional Directors Eduardo C. Janairo of CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Mario S. Baquilod MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) recently turned-over six ambulances to the province of Oriental Mindoro.
“These ambulances will provide universal access to basic and advanced life support services to those living in rural areas. One of the objectives also is to reduce maternal, infant, and child mortality by providing transport to those in need of emergency medical attention 24/7,” Director Janairo stated.
“The regional office will ensure that these units will be managed by effective and efficient health personnel to respond timely to emergency calls and be able to save lives,” Director Baquilod added.
Among the recipients of the six ambulances are the rural health units of Baco, Naujan, Pola, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Socorro and Mansalay. An ambulance costs about Php2,000,000.00.
Each ambulance is equipped with BP apparatus, first aid kit, oxygen tank, oxygen tank regulator, minor surgical set, manual resuscitator, stethoscope, automatic external defibrillator, fire extinguisher and a led flashlight.
According to Dr. Janairo, the funds for the sub-allotment for the procurement of the medical transports were approved on June 2017 under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) which aims for the improvement of health facilities and special aservice delivery units for the provision of primary health care, especially in the rural areas.
The DOH has sub-alloted funds to the regional offices amounting to Php535,000,000.00 for the procurement of Medical Transport with equipment and accessories such as mobile dental van, land ambulance and sea ambulance. DOH-CALABARZON was provided with an allocation of Php80,000,000.00 and DOH-MIMAROPA with Php29,000,000.00.
Both directors assured that the department will continue to improve primary health care and provide easy access to health services in the rural areas, particularly during out of hours, to avoid delays in the provision of health care services.
The land ambulances for the province of Oriental Mindoro was procured through the initiative of 1st District Congressman Salvador ‘Doy' Leachon.
