THE Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZDSMC) has purchased two portable transport ventilators worth P2.6 million to boost its capability as it continues to battle a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
Dr. Anatalio Cagampang Jr., ZDSMC chief of hospital, said Friday, September 24, that the portable transport ventilators will be used in transferring Covid-19 patients from one hospital to the other.
Cagampang said the ventilators were purchased at P1.3 million each, the funding of which came from the Covid-19 Quick Response Fung of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO).
He said each of the portable transport ventilators, which is designed for emergency transport, can be used as long as 10 hours.
“It can provide long-term support to patients who do not need critical care ventilators,” Cagampang said.
The portable transport ventilators deliver room air or oxygen-enriched gas into the breathing circuit, where it can be humidified by a heated humidifier or a heat and moisture exchanger before delivery to the patient.
Meanwhile, the ZCSMC data showed that 111 Covid-19 patients are admitted to the medical facility as of Friday, September 24.
Of the total, 66 are unvaccinated, five got their first dose and the 40 were fully vaccinated.
Seven of the 111 are in the intensive care unit. They include four unvaccinated, two with the first dose, and one fully vaccinated. (SunStar Zamboanga)