THE Department of Health (DOH)-Zamboanga Peninsula has turned over on Monday, April 17, 2023 eight ambulances to various health facilities inn Zamboanga Peninsula.
Dr. Joshua Brillantes, DOH-Zamboanga Peninsula director, said each of the ambulance is fully equipped with the needed equipment and supplies in responding to health emergencies, and provide medical services during referral of cases to higher facilities.
“The ambulances are part of the DOH’s commitment in improving the referral system in the region in line with the goals of achieving Universal Health Care for all Filipinos especially those in Zamboanga Peninsula,” Brillantes said.
The recipients of the ambulances are the following towns: Libertad, Mutia, Polanco, Baliguian, Kalawit, Liloy, and Sirawai in Zamboanga del Norte; and, Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur.
Brillantes said that all of the recipient towns are geographically isolated municipalities.
He said that each of the ambulance is worth P2.3 million and were purchased through the health facilities enhancement program under the General Appropriations Act fiscal year 2022.
Vice Mayor Christian James Kwan of Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte, said the ambulance they received is of big help to transport patients to the nearest medical facility since they don’t have hospital being a fifth class town.
Kwan said the nearest hospital to Mutia is in Piñan town, which is eight kilometers away and the other nearest medical facility is in Dipolog City, 33 kilometers away.
Mercedito Dela Cruz, a nurse, who represented Mayor Evan Hope Olvis of Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, also said the ambulance they received will be a big help to them in serving their constituents. (SunStar Zamboanga)