MEDIPEACE is providing Iloilo six brand new ambulances to establish a facility-based improvement in select district hospitals and rural health units.
The medical humanitarian non-governmental organization handed over the symbolic keys of these ambulances to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. during the flag raising ceremony Monday, December 12.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the ambulances will be delivered once its papers are cleared by the Bureau of Customs on the first week of January 2017.
These are for Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan, Ramon D. Duremdes District Hospital in Dumangas, Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal, and Sara District Hospital in Sara.
The rural health units of Miagao and Concepcion will also benefit from the donation.
Medipeace Representative Dong Youb Suh expects their ambulances can contribute to the improvement of emergency medical system and quality of life of Ilonggos.
“We hope that this will become a milestone in our collaborative effort to strengthen the public health system in Iloilo,” said Suh.
He added they will provide more ambulances to the province and will help train staff on how to use their medical equipment.
The six ambulances from Medipeace are in addition to the three ambulances they provided the province in November 2015.
Defensor said Ilonggos will never forget Medipeace’s concern for the province and their help will “continue to inspire us to do more and work hard to alleviate the life our people, especially those who have less in life.”
Medipeace and the Provincial Government of Iloilo have been working closely since the inception of Koica’s $7-million Iloilo Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Health System Strengthening Project in 2012.
Medipeace conducted the baseline survey on health for Koica’s project. When Super Typhoon Yolanda wrecked havoc in Iloilo in 2013, Medipeace sent emergency medical response team in affected municipalities in Northern Iloilo.
It continued its help to the province by providing ambulances to the district hospital and by training its staff on basic life support and pediatric life support. (Jezza A. Nepomoceno)