A LOCAL Department of Health (DOH) official has been identified as among the hostages of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga City, Health Secretary Enrique Ona confirmed Tuesday.
Ona said an official of the Sulu Sanitarium in Jolo City in Sulu is among the dozens of people being held hostage by armed groups since Monday.
In order to avoid similar incident, DOH engaged military services in assuring the safety of medical personnel serving in the conflict area.
He related that a medical team composed of five doctors, three nurses, and one midwife are currently at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) gymnasium, while the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) stationed 17 doctors and 32 nurses.
The WMSU gymnasium was converted into a make-shift hospital after the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) was turned into a command post of the Armed Forces of the Philippines since its location was adjacent to the station of the MNLF.
Ona said they are also monitoring the situation in the evacuation centers established at Don Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, Tetuan Parish Church, and Talon Talon National High School.
"Health personnel stationed in WMSU gymnasium are deployed, and escorted by the military, when medical intervention is needed in the evacuation centers," said Ona.
Similarly, the PRC–Zamboanga Chapter said it set-up first aid stations at the different evacuation centers to provide immediate health care assistance to the evacuees.
Hospitals in the entire region were placed under Code Blue alert.
Ona said the DOH Center for Health Development in Zamboanga Peninsula were told to be prepared to accept an influx of patients.
Under a Code Blue alert, all medical personnel will be on 24-hour duty while medicines and medical supplies are also ready to be distributed to affected patients. (HDT/Sunnex)