TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH)and through the collaborative efforts of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list under its health facility enhancement program (HFEP), turned over on Tuesday (April 30) 25 ambulances to rural health units, local government units, and provincial hospitals in the region.
Among the beneficiaries were the towns of Matag-ob, Bato, Mahaplag, and Merida Villaba in Leyte; Naval, Cabucgayan, and Maripipi in Biliran; Allen, Lavezares, Lope de Vega, and Gamay in Northern Samar; Gandara, Catbalogan Rural Health Unit, Samar Provincial Hospital, Calbayog District Hospital in Samar; Sogod and Liloan in Southern Leyte; as well as Lawaan, Dolores, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar.
According to DOH-8 Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino, these ambulances are part of the 70-unit allocation for Eastern Visayas under the HFEP.
The first batch was handed over last March, with the final batch scheduled for turnover in June, she added.
These ambulances are equipped with essential life-saving tools and communication equipment, distinguishing them from patient transport vehicles donated by other organizations.
Mayor Bernandino Tacoy of Matag-ob expressed gratitude for being selected as one of the recipients of this program.
He highlighted the importance of the fully-equipped ambulances, which include a defibrillator, laryngoscope, suction machine, immobilization device, and communication equipment, in enhancing healthcare services and improving patient care during transit to the hospital.
Mayor Tacoy disclosed that at present, the town has already five operational ambulances, a significant advancement from having none in the past years.
He expressed his gratitude to Speaker Romualdez, and the Tingog party-list solons, Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre for their support in advancing healthcare accessibility in their municipality.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA w/ ROEL T. AMAZONA)
