The government is considering the services of military reservists who have background in medicine amid the concerns raised by medical workers on their ranks weakening due to the pandemic.
August 1 data from the DOH show that 5,008 health care workers and personnel have been infected by COVID-19.
“I am asking Secretary Lorenzana to mobilize, call a mobilization of doctors and nurses, and those who can help. Kung ‘yan na lang ang maaasahan namin (If they are the only ones we can count on), I will outright call all reservists to work,” President Duterte stated in his recent public address.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed the AFP has 380 medical officer reservists and 5,368 enlisted personnel with medical training. He has issued a directive to find out who among them are active in service.
“Kung sila ay nagseserbisyo na sa labas fighting COVID, hindi na natin sila ipu-put sa active duty kasi ginagawa na nila yung trabahong gusto natin ipagawa sa kanila (If they are rendering service outside fighting COVID, we cannot put them on active duty since they are already serving the way we want them to),” Lorenzana explained.
Meanwhile, new AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay assured the proper coordination with affiliated reserve hospitals and private hospitals to boost possible military assistance for the government’s COVID-19 response.
“Our direction will be a comprehensive one. Total effort, all hands on deck.”
AFP hospitals will also be improved to be used in case medical facilities in the country meet full capacity. – Report from Bea Bernardo
