FACILITIES inside the Freeport and New Clark City, which were converted into temporary medical centers, are now ready to accept Covid-19 patients.
Health workers held a simulation exercise and walk-through of facilities named "We Heal As One Centers" on Saturday, April 11.
Vince Dizon, Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects and BCDA President led the simulation at the ASEAN Convention Center and government center at the New Clark City.
He was accompanied by Dr. Maria Clemencita Dobles, head of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Health and Sanitation Division and other officials in Clark.
The two centers will be able to accommodate 1,000 Covid-19-positive patients with mild and no symptoms referred from hospitals in Central Luzon.
The New Clark City Athletes’ Village meanwhile will be designated as facility for patients under investigation (PUIs) from Tarlac and Pampanga.
The conversion of facilities into "We Heal As One Centers" is part of the government’s efforts to reduce the community spread of Covid-19, to decongest hospitals, and to provide the best and most effective treatments to patients.
Jaime De Jesus, Jr. of Macabebe, Pampanga, one of the nurses who was hired for the Covid-19 facilities in Clark, said he wanted to be of service to his fellow Kapampangans.
He said he used to work for an emergency room at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, and has been a nurse for eight years.
“Kaya gusto ko magtrabaho bilang isang frontliner ulit dito sa Pilipinas kasi gusto ko tulungan yung mga kapwa nating Pilipino na nagkakaroon ng sakit. Nasa isang krisis tayo; kailangan kaming mga nurse at medical professionals ng bansa natin para lumaban dito sa Covid-19 crisis,” De Jesus said.
Dr. Christine Polintan-Lao, a doctor of seven years and a resident of Tarlac, said that the frontliners’ passion to serve outweighs the risk of Covid-19.
“Lahat ng mga frontliners, nurses at doctors, lahat ng mga nasa health field, lahat ng pumapasok sa mga companies, janitors, security guards, they are all being selfless and they are really doing a great job para matapos na itong pandemic that greatly affects our country,” she said.
“Para sa ating frontliners, we salute you all for always giving your best to solve this pandemic, and para sa inyong mga nasa bahay, please keep healthy, stay at home and matatapos din ang lahat ng ito,” she added.
Health workers employed at the 'We Heal As One Centers" are given free meals and accommodation in hotels within the Clark Freeport.