QUEZON CITY, April 2 (PIA) — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa personally sent off the members of the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT), which formed part of the Philippine inter-agency humanitarian contingent that left Manila for quake-stricken Myanmar early Tuesday morning.
The Department of Health (DOH) deployed the PEMAT that will work with highly-trained responders and rescue technicians from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The PEMAT, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Type 1, specializes in providing outpatient medical services from temporary facilities. The team comprises doctors, nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, midwives, nursing attendants, and logistics and technical personnel.
“We do medical and minor surgical procedures. So for the medical procedures, we can cater pediatric, IM, minor surgical, medical, obstetrical, reproductive services. We also provide psychosocial services to our hospitals,” said Dr. Ma. Ivy Lozada, Team Leader from Eastern Visayas Medical Center.
For Lozada, this mission is a way to give back and pay forward the aid they received in 2013.
“This mission is personal for some of the members because they have the experience of needing help in the midst of calamity. It’s important for us because I’ve been a survivor of Yolanda. So I’ve experienced what they’re experiencing right now. To help them, it’s one way of giving gratitude to those who have helped us during that time,” she added.
The deployment underscores the Philippines’ commitment to global humanitarian efforts, with Sec. Herbosa commending the bravery of the medical volunteers.
“You know, someone up there always decides kung ano ang gagawin natin. Sabi siguro ng Diyos, may misyon kayo para makatulong sa ibang tao. Sa akin, heroes na kayong lahat the fact that you volunteered. You’re all heroes,” Sec. Ted Herbosa said.
(You know, someone up there always decides what we’re going to do. Maybe God said, you have a mission to help other people. For me, you’re all heroes because you volunteered. You’re all heroes)
“Sabi ko sa kanila, sila sa Eastern Visayas Medical center, sila ang tinamaan ng Typhoon Haiyan, so experience din ‘to sa big time na disaster kasi sila ‘yung mga personnel na tumulong during Typhoon Haiyan. Sabi ko pag nagkaroon ng “Big One” sa Metro Manila, kayo ang magreresponde sa amin. So itong gagawin nila dito e parang preparasyon din yan,” Sec. Herbosa added.
The PEMAT is set to operate in Myanmar for the next 18 days, providing acute medical care, life support, trauma management, pharmaceutical provisions, and isolation facilities. The team will also facilitate patient referrals for those in need of more intensive medical interventions.
With their expertise and compassion, the Philippine contingent aims to bring hope and healing to Myanmar as the nation recovers from one of its deadliest disasters in recent years. (AVS/PIA-NCR)
