DOH TURNS OVER 4 SEA AMBULANCES TO ILOCOS  LGUs

FOUR new sea ambulances were turned over by the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region to local government units of Pasuquin, Currimao, Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte and Laoag City in Ilocos Sur to be used for emergency medical transport.

The turnover ceremony was held at Port Davila in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. 

DOH Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said the sea ambulance is an innovation of universal health care that aims to provide more access to all Filipinos and vulnerable populations by ensuring the availability of functional health facilities and medical transport vehicles in the region. 

“Hindi lamang ito para sa mga emergency patients natin dahil magbibigay din ito ng preventive health care services and will be part of our primary care services at the local level and this will be integrated sa mga rural health units at ospital ng ating mga LGUs,”  Sydiongco said.

“Lalagyan po natin ito ng medical equipment and emergency kits na kakailanganin upang makapagbigay ng agarang pangunahing lunas sa mga pasyente natin,”  she added.

The regional health official eminded recipient LGUs to take good care of the sea ambulances and provide the needed regular maintenance to ensure their maximum usage. 

Each sea ambulance costs P4,998,750. The purchase was made possible through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP). 

Present during the turnover rites were Congressman Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, Pasuquin Mayor Robert D. Aguinaldo, OIC LHSD Dr. Rosario P. Pamintuan, Ilocos Norte PDOHO Dr. Virgilio C. Mangapit and staff and LGU officials of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.