By Alec Go
President Rodrigo Duterte has appealed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deploy their medical personnel to assist hospitals amid a wave of COVID-19 transmission among hospital workers.
Duterte said in his Wednesday (Sept. 22) public address that several private hospitals in Metro Manila “are already running at full capacity.”
“Please place your human resources ready, on deck because talagang – alam mo, ‘yan talaga ang madali kong maasahan,” Duterte said.
“‘Yung mga nurses sa pulis, marami ‘yan, pati sa medical corps ng Army. I have to use my – a little of my influence sa kanila to convince them. I do not want to order na ganoon kasi pangit ‘yan eh,” he added.
Duterte mentioned healthcare challenges amid the ongoing Blue Ribbon Committee probe on government procurements, saying that the personnel of major hospitals such as St. Luke’s Medical Center and Cardinal Santos Medical Center are being quarantined.
“Our healthcare workers are getting sick, our hospitals are being filled to the brim, and more of our people are getting sick and dying from COVID-19,” he said.
Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana said in the same meeting that he has ordered the AFP’s surgeon general to pool resources to assist St. Luke’s hospitals. Two nurses have been deployed as of the afternoon of Sept. 22.
“Patuloy pa silang mangangalap sa mga probinsiya, sa mga services, Army, Navy, Air Force, kung puwede pa silang magbigay ng mga nurses… Sa mga darating na araw ay magkakaroon pa tayo ng mga nurses na puwede nating ipahiram sa mga hospitals sa Maynila,” he said.
National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Sec. Vince Dizon said they will be conducting hospital visits amid the “worrisome” condition of major hospitals which are “still overburdened.” – jlo #
